[Acute and reversible myoclonic encephalopathy, extrapyramidal syndrome, polyneuropathy caused by chronic disulfiram poisoning]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 1995 Nov;151(11):667-9.
[Article in French]

Abstract

This 44-year woman was admitted for weight loss and global intellectual slowing. She had mild chronic alcoholic neuropathy. She was discontinued alcoholic consumption for 6 months and was given disulfiram (1.5 g/day) since then. She developed over a 5-day period acute neuropathy, confusion and extrapyramidal symptoms with oculo-cephalogyric and dystonic movements and myoclonus. Electromyography revealed a severe polyneuropathy. After disulfiram withdrawal, confusion and extrapyramidal symptoms disappeared within a few days, but sensitivo-motor deficit improved more slowly. Nerve biopsy was suggestive of a pure axonal neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Alcohol Deterrents / poisoning*
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Disulfiram / poisoning*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Myoclonus / chemically induced*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Alcohol Deterrents
  • Disulfiram