Characteristics of brain magnetic resonance imaging in acute methanol intoxication: Report of 3 cases

Abstract

Acute methanol intoxication is uncommon. Methanol is mildly toxic, but its metabolites are formic acid and formaldehyde, causing total metabolism, visual disturbances, and central nervous system disturbances, leading to coma and death. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is very important for the diagnosis and prognosis of methanol intoxication. Putaminal necrosis with or without hemorrhage is the most frequently reported finding. Other affected areas that are reported in the literature are subcortical white matter, hippocampus, optic nerve, and cerebellum. We report 3 cases of methanol intoxication and discuss their brain lesions on MRI.