Central pontine myelinolysis causes bilateral loss of deep sensitivity and pseudochoreoathetosis

Central pontine myelinolysis is characterised as symmetric and selective destruction of myelin sheath of the basis pontis. Central pontine myelinolysis often results from rapid increase of serum sodium after hyponatraemia. Patients with central pontine myelinolysis often show symptoms such as conscious disturbances, tetraparesis, and pseudobulbar palsy.1-3 We present a case of central pontine myelinolysis due to compensation of hyponatraemia, resulting in acute onset of pseudochoreoathetosis and sensory disturbances. A 39 year old woman was submitted to a department of internal medicine of another hospital due to a long history of alcoholism, resulting in bad general condition accompanied by severe anaemia, toxic gastritis, and acute pancreatitis. She was alert without any mental disturbances. Laboratory data disclosed metabolic acidosis and hyponatraemia of 126 mmol/l. She received bicarbonate and physiological saline intravenously to compensate for the metabolic disturbances. Serum sodium increased to 136 mmol/l within 3 days. On …