Autopsy validation of MRI in central pontine myelinolysis.

In a fatal case of central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) a low field strength (0.08 Tesla) magnetic resonance image revealed reduction of image intensity in the pons with sparing of two central symmetrical areas in the ventral portion. The latter correlated with preservation of centrally located groups of longitudinal myelinated nerve fibres shown at autopsy. Although such sparing is well recognised in pathological studies of CPM it has never previously been demonstrated in life.