[Metronidazole-Induced Encephalopathy during Brain Abscess Treatment:Two Case Reports].

Abstract

Metronidazole is a widely used antibiotic against anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. We report two cases of metronidazole-induced encephalopathy(MIE)during treatment of a brain abscess with metronidazole. The patients developed mental disturbance, and brain MRI showed reversible signals on DWI, FLAIR, and T2. Case 1: A 48-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a cerebellar abscess. We initiated treatment with oral metronidazole. After taking the medication, she developed mental disturbance, and her brain MRI showed a hyperintensity within the corpus callosum. We suspected metronidazole toxicity and discontinued metronidazole treatment. The symptoms resolved rapidly within a week, and the hyperintensity on the MRI disappeared. Case 2: A 22-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a brain abscess. We initiated treatment with oral metronidazole. On day 38, he developed mental disturbance, and his MRI showed hyperintensities within the bilateral dentate nuclei and corpus callosum. These symptoms were consistent with MIE. After cessation of metronidazole, his symptoms and abnormal MRI signals completely disappeared.

• Authors: Yuka Yokoyama, Katsuyuki Asaoka, Taku Sugiyama, Kazuki Uchida, Daisuke Shimbo, Satoshi Kobayashi, Koji Itamoto
• Journal: No shinkei geka. Neurological surgery (No Shinkei Geka) Vol. 43 Issue 10 Pg. 927-32 (Oct 2015) ISSN: 0301-2603 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 26435373 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Metronidazole

Topics

• Brain Abscess (diagnosis, pathology, surgery)
• Brain Diseases (chemically induced, complications, diagnosis)
• Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Metronidazole (adverse effects)
• Middle Aged
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult