Osmotic demylination syndrome

Abstract

The osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) is a complication of rapid correction of hyponatremia causing injury to axons due to rapid changes in osmotic gradients across extracellular compartment of the brain. Features of the syndrome may include dysarthria, dysphonia ,tremors,quadriparesis and neurocognitive changes.MRI shows characteristic lesions in pons and(or) extrapontine locations or both. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Slow correction of hyponatremia seems to be the best way to prevent development of the syndrome.