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A Misleading Case of Central Pontine Myelinolysis

Risk Factors for Psychiatric Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Peter McColl
Affiliation:
Rotherham District General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Oakwood, Rotherham S60 2UD
Christopher Kelly*
Affiliation:
Rotherham District General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Oakwood, Rotherham S60 2UD
*
Correspondence

Abstract

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.

British Journal of Psychiatry (1992), 160, 550–552

Type
Brief Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1992 

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