Marchiafava-Bignami Disease with frontal cortex involvement and late onset, long-lasting psychiatric symptoms: a case report

Riv Psichiatr. 2016 Mar-Apr;51(2):79-82. doi: 10.1708/2246.24202.

Abstract

Aims: To describe the case and management of a patient with Marchiafava-Bignami Disease (MBD) with frontal cortical lesions, no specific symptom at first referral to the Emergency Room, and late onset of atypical psychiatric symptoms.

Methods: We report the case of a 44-year-old patient with a history of chronic alcohol abuse, eventually diagnosed with MBD.

Results: Magnetic Resonance showed lesions in the splenium and the body of corpus callosum and bilateral lesions of the frontal cortex. The patient showed late-onset atypical psychiatric symptoms which were drug resistant.

Discussion: The case we describe seems to support the existing few ones describing cortical involvement in MBD, which suggest that this is associated with a poorer prognosis. Psychiatric symptoms may be challenging to treat because of drug resistance.

Conclusions: The involvement of psychiatrists together with neurologists and radiologists, with a consultation-liaison approach proved important for the achievement of diagnosis and of the most appropriate management and treatment for this patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / complications
  • Anorexia / etiology
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Delayed Diagnosis
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Resistance
  • Emergencies
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Frontal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Frontal Lobe / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Marchiafava-Bignami Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Marchiafava-Bignami Disease / etiology
  • Marchiafava-Bignami Disease / pathology*
  • Marchiafava-Bignami Disease / psychology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Psychoses, Alcoholic / drug therapy
  • Psychoses, Alcoholic / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents