Central pontinemyelinosis, hyperparathyroidism, hypokalemia

Abstract

Central pontinemyelinolysis (CPM) is one of the rare non-inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the pons and very rarely it can involve extrapontine structure as well. The exact etiopathogenesis of this condition is still unclear. Rapid correction of hyponatremia has been attributed as a most common factor, but alcoholism, malnutrition, prolonged use of diuretics, psychogenic polydipsia, post liver transplant and hypokalemia have also been attributed as a causative factor. We describe a case of hyperparathyroidism with concomitant hypercalcemia accompanied by central pontine myelinosis without hyponatremia/hyperosmolality or associated rapid corrections of sodium, which developed as a consequence of severe hypokalaemia.

Keywords

• Central pontinemyelinosis
• hyperparathyroidism
• hypokalemia