Simultaneous acute Marchiafava-Bignami disease and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a case almost misdiagnosed

Abstract

Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare neurological disease, and is characterized by callosal lesions consisting of necrosis and demyelination. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical syndrome, and refers to a disorder with reversible subcortical vasogenic brain edema, predominantly involving the bilateral parieto-occipital regions. Never before had articles reported that the two diseases occurred simultaneously. We report a 49-year-old male alcoholic with both MBD and PRES who had a good prognosis after correct diagnosis and timely treatment.

Keywords: DWI; MRI; Marchiafava-bignami disease; posterior reversible encephalopathy.