Extrapontine myelinolysis and cortical laminar necrosis caused by severe hypernatremia following peritoneal lavage for ruptured hydatid cyst of the liver. A case report and review of the literature.

Extrapontine myelinolysis (EPM) and cortical laminar necrosis (CLN) have rarely been reported in association with severe hypernatremia. We describe a patient with EPM associated with CLN following severe hypernatremia due to hypertonic peritoneal lavage after a ruptured hydatid cyst of the liver. Clinical and neuroimaging findings in acute stage and serial brain MRI at two and five month follow-up are discussed in detail.