Osmotic demyelination syndrome: Case report and literature retrospect.

RATIONALE

Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) is a noninflammatory demyelinating disorder involving the pontis and other regions of the central nervous system. This article tries to enhance the understanding of ODS. Combined with clinical features, we use laboratory/imaging examination and literature review.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report on 4 ODS cases and review the different etiologies, clinical manifestations, and possible pathophysiology.

DIAGNOSES

We provide an update on the diagnosis and treatment of ODS, with a special focus on the prevention of ODS.

INTERVENTIONS

We corrected the hyponatremia appropriately and treated complications.

OUTCOMES

The development of ODS is by association with a variety of clinical conditions. Also, the prognosis of ODS is heterogeneous, ranging from complete recovery to vegetative state, even death. However, there is no specific effective treatment, thus, it is more important to recognize the path mechanism of ODS and to avoid its occurrence.

LESSONS

It is essential to reduce the risk of suffering this potentially devastating disease through an appropriate rate of hyponatremia correction and the treatment of comorbid clinical conditions.