Neuropsychological Findings of Extrapontine Myelinolysis without Central Pontine Myelinolysis: Initial and Follow-up Evaluation

ABSTRACT

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) and extrapontine myelinolysis (EPM) are well recognized syndromes related to the rapid correction of hyponatremia. Cognitive dysfunction and neuropsychological findings, however, have seldom been reported. We present a case of EPM without CPM and report the neuropsychological findings. Neuropsychological testing showed severe impairment of attention, verbal and visual memory, visuospatial functioning, and frontal/executive functioning. Language and language-related functions were normal except for naming. Follow-up neuropsychological testing at 4 months later showed slightly less impairment than the first assessment.