The British Journal of Psychiatry 160: 550-552 (1992)
© 1992 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
A misleading case of central pontine myelinolysis. Risk factors for psychiatric patients
P McColl and C Kelly
Rotherham District General Hospital, Oakwood.
Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is an uncommon disorder initially
described in alcoholic or malnourished patients. Recent reports suggest an
aetiological association with abnormalities of serum sodium. A physically
unwell non-alcoholic chronic schizophrenic patient, whose symptoms led to
psychiatric referral, died of CPM. A review of the literature reveals that
psychiatric patients may indeed be at risk for CPM.