A misleading case of central pontine myelinolysis. Risk factors for psychiatric patients.

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is an uncommon disorder initially described in alcoholic or malnourished patients. Recent reports suggest an aetiological association with abnormalities of serum sodium. A physically unwell non-alcoholic chronic schizophrenic patient, whose symptoms led to psychiatric referral, died of CPM. A review of the literature reveals that psychiatric patients may indeed be at risk for CPM.