Central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis associated with type 2 diabetic patient with hypokalemia.

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a demyelinating disease of the pons often associated with the demyelination of extrapontine areas of the central nervous system. Although the etiology and pathogenesis are unclear, CPM is usually associated with hyponatremia or its rapid correction, and chronic alcoholism is also a common underlying condition. We observed a 43-year-old man with diabetes mellitus who developed central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis with no apparent evidence of hyponatremia, serum hyperosmolality or associated rapid correction, or history of alcohol abuse. On admission, the patient was lethargic with dysarthria, dysphagia, and mild tetraparesis and his face and lower extremities were severely edematous. Laboratory examination showed normoglycemia and normonatremia, although hypokalemia, elevated HbA1c, and nephrotic syndrome were also present. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormal signal intensity in the pons, the deep layers of the cerebral cortex, and the adjacent white matter consistent with central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis. Generalized edema was reduced by the use of diuretics and extracorporeal ultrafiltration without significant changes of serum sodium or osmolality. His consciousness level and paresis gradually improved within a few weeks. Our patient is a rare case of CPM associated with diabetes without apparent evidence of sodium or glucose imbalances.

[Results of surgery on white cataract using trypan blue capsule staining to visualize capsulorrhexis].

PURPOSE: To evaluate surgery on white cataracts using trypan blue capsule staining. METHODS: A retrospective study comprised 64 eyes of 60 patients with white cataract that had surgery with trypan blue capsule staining. The average age was 62.4 years and progress observation periods were 5.6 months. The rate of successful continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis(CCC), complications, visual acuity, intraocular pressure(IOP), flare value, and corneal endothelial cell loss were studied. RESULTS: The CCC was completed uneventfully in 93.8% eyes. Posterior capsule rupture occurred in 2 eyes, and early perforation in 1 eye. Accidental vitreous staining and endothelial staining with trypan blue were observed in 1 eye each. There were no postoperative complications associated with trypan blue. Forty-five eyes had a best corrected visual acuity of 0.8 or better at the last visit. Twelve eyes had some ocular pathology resulting in visual loss, and a reliable visual acuity test could not be performed in 6 eyes. The mean postoperative IOP was within the normal range. The mean postoperative flare returned to within normal range 1 month after surgery. The mean corneal endothelial loss was 13.7%, and that of eyes with nucleus of grade 2 or softer was only 2.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract surgery using trypan blue was safe and effective in managing white cataracts.