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Non-alcoholic partially reversible marchiafava-bignami disease: review and relation with reversible splenial lesions. A case report and literature review.

Non-alcoholic partially reversible marchiafava-bignami disease: review and relation with reversible splenial lesions. A case report and literature review.

Authors :
Caulo M
Briganti C
Notturno F
Committeri G
Mattei PA
Tartaro A
Gallucci M
Uncini A
Source :
The neuroradiology journal [Neuroradiol J] 2009 Mar 23; Vol. 22 (1), pp. 35-40. Date of Electronic Publication: 2009 Mar 23.
Publication Year :
2009

Abstract

Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare pathological condition characterized by progressive demyelination and necrosis of the corpus callosum (CC). MBD occurs in patients with chronic alcoholism although a few non-alcoholic cases have been reported. We describe a non-alcoholic, depressed patient, who developed MBD after psycho-active drug abuse. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed bilateral, symmetric, hyperintense regions in the genu, body and splenium of the CC associated with increased water diffusivity. Clinical and MRI findings showed a partial recovery after tapering/modification of psycho-active drugs. We reviewed the nine cases of non-alcoholic MBD reported in the literature. We conclude that most cases should have been diagnosed as a reversible isolated splenial lesion (MERS), a recently described condition semiotically similar to MBD but with a specific localization, restricted water diffusivity and reversibility at MRI. In conclusion, MBD is an extremely rare condition in non-alcoholic patients and the use of MRI for distinguishing between MBD and MERS is crucial.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1971-4009
Volume :
22
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The neuroradiology journal
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
24206951
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/197140090902200106