Unusual case of Marchiafava-Bignami disease presenting  as axial hypotonia

Svetlana D. Miletić Drakulić; Jasna Jevdjić; Dejan Aleksić; Gordana Tončev

doi:10.2298/VSP160523099M

Svetlana D. Miletić Drakulić University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia
Jasna Jevdjić University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia
Dejan Aleksić University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia
Gordana Tončev University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP160523099M

Keywords: alcoholism;, corpus callosum;, diagnosis;, marchiafava-bignami disease;, tomography, x-ray computed.

Abstract

Introduction. Marchiafava-Bignami disease is a rare disorder mostly associated with chronic heavy alcohol consumption that results in progressive demyelination and necrosis of the corpus callosum. Case report. We reported a 35-year-old woman with a history of alcohol consumption and malnutrition. Neurological examination revealed axial hypotonia, dysarthric speech and lack of motor coordination. The brain multislice computed tomography imaging demonstrated hypodense lesion of the corpus callosum. On the basis of her history, clinical features and imaging studies, the diagnosis of an acute form of Marchiava-Bignami disease was made. Definite diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy. Conclusion. Marchiafava-Bignami disease is of a medical emergency and early recognition and early aggressive treatment are critical for a good clinical outcome. To our knowledge, this is the first case of Marchiafava-Bignami disease presented with axial hypotonia.

Author Biographies

Svetlana D. Miletić Drakulić, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia

Profesor

Neurologija

Jasna Jevdjić, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia

Anesteziologija

Profesor

Dejan Aleksić, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia

doktor medicine

specijalizant neurologije

Gordana Tončev, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia

Neurologija

Profesor

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