Central pontine myelinolysis: an immunofluorescent study.

A young pregnant woman showing clinical symptoms of numbness, vertigo, diplopia, and amnesia with associated hypernatremia ran a fulminant course. At autopsy, an area or extensive demyelination in the center of the pons was found and a pathological diagnosis of central pontine myelinolysis was made. Since definitive etiology and pathogenesis of the lesion have not been established, we investigated the role of humoral immunity in the pathogenesis of this condition by retrospective immunofluorescent study; the result was negative. Possible factors related to the etiology and pathogenesis of the lesion in this case are discussed.