Brain-stem auditory evoked responses in diagnosis of central pontine myelinolysis

J Neurol. 1986 Feb;233(1):23-4. doi: 10.1007/BF00313986.

Abstract

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) developed in association with acute adrenocortical insufficiency during correction of severe hyponatraemia in a 58-year-old woman. Repeated CT scanning and NMR imaging were normal from the onset of the illness. Electroencephalography and brain-stem auditory evoked responses showed abnormalities consistent with a brain-stem lesion, which resolved as the patient made a gradual but incomplete recovery. Our observations illustrate the value of electrophysiological monitoring in CPM and support the proposed association between this condition and the rapid correction of an electrolyte imbalance.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Insufficiency / complications
  • Auditory Pathways / physiopathology
  • Brain Stem / physiopathology*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / physiopathology
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Middle Aged
  • Pons / physiopathology*
  • Sodium / blood
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Sodium