[Marchiafava-Bignami disease: development with flare-up].

Abstract

Marchiafava-Bignami disease is a complication of chronic ethanol intoxication. The clinical course may be acute, rapidly leading to death, or marked by a progressive dementia. A form with favorable outcome is also described. During the evolution of chronic forms, acute worsenings are possible, with subsequent partial recovery. We report a clinico-radiological case, where a first episode was followed by a good outcome. After a second episode, 3 years later, the patient developed a dementia with predominant frontal lobe signs. This case suggests that, even after a favorable outcome, a long-term poor prognosis cannot be ruled out.

• Authors: O Moreaud, N Dufossé, J Pellat
• Journal: Revue neurologique (Rev Neurol (Paris)) 1996 Aug-Sep Vol. 152 Issue 8-9 Pg. 560-2 ISSN: 0035-3787 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Maladie de Marchiafava-Bignami: évolution par poussées.
• PMID: 8991181 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Alcoholism (complications)
• Corpus Callosum
• Dementia (etiology)
• Demyelinating Diseases (complications, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Time Factors