Myelinolysis cases presenting with manic attack after rapid correction of hyponatremia: Two cases

Abstract

ObjectiveMyelinolysis is a neurological condition that can display diverse psychiatric symptoms, with electrolyte imbalance, alcoholism and malnutrition being the frequent causes. Rapid correction of hyponatremia may trigger pontine and extra-pontine myelinolysis.CasesThis paper examines two cases: one of hyponatremia after antihypertensive use and the other of myelinolysis due to rapid correction of hyponatremia. Since myelinolysis appeared as a manic episode, the patients sought treatment at the psychiatry outpatient clinic. Further tests were conducted to rule out organic causes and the diagnosis was confirmed prior to referring the patients to the neurology clinic.ConclusionPsychiatrists should be meticulous in excluding organic causes in first-episode mania and consider these possibilities in the differential diagnosis for the pertinent patient group.