Metronidazole Induced Encephalopathy: A Case Report Showing Devastating Course on Consecutive MR Imaging

AuthorSoo Yeon Jeongen
AuthorSe Jeong Jeonen
AuthorYoue Ree Kimen
AuthorSee Sung Choien
Issued Date2018-10-31en
AbstractMetronidazole-induced encephalopathy is a rare neurologic adverse effect of an antibiotic drug ‘metronidazole’. Although it is usually reversible with immediate cessation of the drug, it can also be fatal when used continuously. Here, we present a 72- year-old female who was on metronidazole for a total of 46 consecutive days. Her initial MRI on the 22nd day of medication use revealed a typical involvement of the cerebellar dentate nuclei, corpus callosum splenium, and periaqueductal midbrain, suggesting metronidazole-induced encephalopathy. However, she continued the medication for another 24 days, until she revisited our emergency department with mental status change. Her consecutive MRI showed diffuse cerebral and brainstem involvement, as well as a more prominent involvement of the dentate nuclei and splenium. We present this case to highlight that it is possible for metronidazole-induced toxic encephalopathy to worsen without immediate withdrawal of the offending drug.en
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5812/iranjradiol.67211en
URIhttps://brieflands.com/journals/ijradiology/articles/67211en
KeywordMetronidazoleen
KeywordToxic Encephalopathyen
KeywordNeurotoxicityen
PublisherBrieflandsen
TitleMetronidazole Induced Encephalopathy: A Case Report Showing Devastating Course on Consecutive MR Imagingen
TypeCase Reporten

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