[Ethanol, water, salt and coma]

(Alkohol, Wasser, Salz und Koma.)

Full Abstract

We report on a 52-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis who suddenly fell into deep coma after correction of an intercurrent hyponatremia. After exclusion of the commonest causes of coma, the MRI showed a symmetrical osmotic demyelination of both thalami. The newest epidemiological data, the pathophysiology of osmotic demyelination, the threats of the treatment of a prolonged severe hyponatremia as well as the therapeutic options in face of osmotic demyelination are discussed.

Author information

Author/s: Spakowski, M (M); Nikolic, N (N); Giambarba, C (C);

Affiliation: Interdisziplinäre Intensivstation, Stadtspital Waid, Zürich. margarete.spakowski(-atsign-)waid.zuerich.ch

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; English Abstract; Journal Article

Journal: Praxis (Praxis (Bern 1994)), published in Switzerland. (Language: ger)

Reference: 2009-Aug; vol 98 (issue 16) : pp 905-8

Dates: Created 2009/08/12; Completed 2009/10/13;

PMID: 19672831, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/13/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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