Osmotic demyelination syndrome
Updates to Article Attributes
Osmotic demyelination syndrome refers to acute demyelination seen in the setting of osmotic changes, typically with the rapid correction of hyponatraemia. It is the more recent term replacing central pontine myelinolysis, recognizing that extrapontine structures can also be affected, previously known as extrapontine myelinolysis.
Epidemiology
The initial description of central pontine myelinolysis by Adams et al in 1959 2 was entirely in a population of chronic alcoholics, and certainly this scenario is common. Since then it has been increasingly recognised in other patient groups, but usually in the setting of rapidly corrected electrolyte disturbance:
- chronic alcoholics
- chronically debilitated patients
- transplant recipients
Clinical presentation
Clinically osmotic demyelination syndrome presents in a biphasic pattern. The first phase is usually attributable not to the demyelination but rather to the inciting electrolyte abnormality, with patients being acutely encephalopathic. Following rapid reversal of this abnormality the patient transiently improves before progressing onto the classic osmotic demyelination syndrome features 2-3 days later. When pontine involvement is prominent, clinical features consist of:
- spastic quadriparesis
- pseudobulbar palsy
- changes in levels of consciousness
- coma or death
Pathology
Although the exact mechanism is still uncertain, it is known that oligodendroglial cells are most susceptible to osmotic stresses, leading to their demise. It is not surprising that the distribution of osmotic myelinolysis therefore parallels the distribution of these cells.
Histologically osmotic demyelination syndrome is characterised by intramyelinitic splitting, vacuolisation and myelin sheath rupture 3. After a number of days macrophages can be identified.
Radiographic features
CT
CT may demonstrate low attenuation crossing the midline in the lower pons, although this region is frequently degraded by streak artifact and beam hardening phenomenon.
MRI
The earliest change is seen on DWI with restriction in the lower pons. This is seen within 24 hours of the onset of quadriplegia 3. This same region demonstrates eventual high T2 signal and later low T1 signal. The T1 and T2 changes may take up to two weeks to develop. This region has a classic trident shaped appearance. Occasionally gadolinium enhancement is also demonstrated, just as in the acute phase of an multiple sclerosis (MS) plaque. The peripheral fibers (ventrolateral longitudinal fibers) as well as the periventricular and subpial regions are typically spared.
Similar appearances are seen in other parts of the brain: basal ganglia, midbrain and subcortical white matter.
Signal characteristics of affected region include:
- T1: mildly or moderatly hypointense
- T2: hyperintense, sparing the periphery and corticospinal tracts
- PD: hyperintense
- FLAIR: hyperintense
- DWI: hyperintense
- ADC: signal low or signal loss
- T1 C+ (Gd): usually there is no enhancement, but some authors reported that it may occur 5-6
PET
Affected regions may demonstrate initial high uptake followed by subsequent low uptake with 18-FDG.
Differential diagnosis
General imaging differential considerations include:
- demyelination including multiple sclerosis (MS)
- infarction from basilar perforators can be central, although usually brainstem infracts stop at the midline
- pontine neoplasms including astrocytomas
-<p><strong>Osmotic demyelination syndrome </strong>refers to acute <a href="/articles/demyelination">demyelination</a> seen in the setting of osmotic changes, typically with the rapid correction of hyponatraemia. It is the more recent term replacing <a title="Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM)" href="/articles/central-pontine-myelinolysis-2">central pontine myelinolysis</a>, recognizing that extrapontine structures can also be affected, previously known as <a href="/articles/extrapontine-myelinolysis-epm">extrapontine myelinolysis</a>. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>The initial description of central pontine myelinolysis by Adams et al in 1959 <sup>2</sup> was entirely in a population of chronic alcoholics, and certainly this scenario is common. Since then it has been increasingly recognised in other patient groups, but usually in the setting of rapidly corrected electrolyte disturbance:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Osmotic demyelination syndrome </strong>refers to acute <a href="/articles/demyelination">demyelination</a> seen in the setting of osmotic changes, typically with the rapid correction of hyponatraemia. It is the more recent term replacing <a href="/articles/central-pontine-myelinolysis-2">central pontine myelinolysis</a>, recognizing that extrapontine structures can also be affected, previously known as <a href="/articles/extrapontine-myelinolysis-epm">extrapontine myelinolysis</a>. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>The initial description of central pontine myelinolysis by Adams et al in 1959 <sup>2</sup> was entirely in a population of chronic alcoholics, and certainly this scenario is common. Since then it has been increasingly recognised in other patient groups, but usually in the setting of rapidly corrected electrolyte disturbance:</p><ul>
-<strong>T2:</strong> hyperintense, sparing the periphery and corticospinal tracts</li>- +<strong>T2:</strong> hyperintense, sparing the periphery and <a title="Anterior corticospinal tract" href="/articles/anterior-corticospinal-tract">corticospinal tracts</a>
- +</li>
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