Central pontine myelinolysis following rapid correction of hyponatremia in an alcoholic.

An alcoholic patient presented with profound hyponatremia of uncertain etiology. Despite partial correction of hyponatremia within 24 hours, central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) ensued and the patient subsequently died. The optimal rate of correction of severe, symptomatic hyponatremia has not yet been elucidated.