Central pontine myelinolysis

Abstract

Central pontine myelinolysis is a recently recognized clinical and pathologic entity. The lesion is a solitary focus of myelin destruction with relative preservation of nerve fibers, located symmetrically in the center of the pons. It occurs in patients who have previously had a debilitating disease. The development of the pontine lesion is accompanied by the appearance of a fulminating picture of central nervous system involvement and death in ten days to three weeks. A patient with this condition is described in detail. The antecedent illness was an extensive frontal sinusitis with subdural and intradural abscess. Death followed thirteen days after the onset of an acute episode which suggested viral encephalitis. The lesion was similar to those described in previously reported cases [1].