Reversible lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum in a patient with chronic alcoholism.

Syuichi Tetsuka,Takeshi Kamimura,Ritsuo Hashimoto,Gaku Ohki

doi:10.1002/jgf2.308

Abstract

Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is often diagnosed in chronic alcoholics. The disease processes typically involve the corpus callosum and clinically presents with various manifestations on the basis of clinical condition, extent of the splenium of the corpus callosum involvement at brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and prognosis. We report a patient affected by MBD, who presented an isolated reversible splenial lesion at brain MRI and achieved a favorable recovery.

Highlights

Syncope due to arrhythmia in alcohol abuse complex.[2,4] Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) diagnosis seems to have become relatively easy because of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps
According to that reported by his brother, who found him, he was unable to stand, and his speech was disorganized
Serum creatinine, and electrolyte levels were within normal limits

Summary

Introduction

Syncope due to arrhythmia in alcohol abuse complex.[2,4] MBD diagnosis seems to have become relatively easy because of MRI findings, including DWI and ADC maps. A 59-year-old man was admitted to our emergency room because of mild alteration of consciousness and motor deficit of the lower limbs. He had been suffering from chronic alcohol abuse for several years and lived in isolation. He did not have any other significant medical history.

Results

Conclusion