Related Experiment Videos
[Suicidal self poisoning with disulfiram in a 15-year old boy with resulting encephalopathy]
H Goszcz1, B Groszek, A Urbanik
1Kliniki Toksykologii KMP i ChS Collegium Medicum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w Krakowie.
Abstract:
Acute intentional overdoses of disulfiram (app. 30 g) is reported in 15-years-old boy. The neurological disturbances as nystagmus, coma, seizures and than impairment of memory and perception were dominated in the clinical picture. During MRI examination the areas of different signal from corpus callosum were detected which can be referred to focus of demyelinisation. The patient recovered and was discharged from the hospital after 30 days. Neuropsychological examinations have suggested dysfunction of CNS. The control MRI examination 90 days later, did not reveal any pathological changes in the brain.
Insights
A 15-year-old boy experienced severe neurological disturbances, including coma and seizures, after an acute intentional overdose of disulfiram. Brain imaging revealed temporary demyelination, with full recovery after 30 days.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Radiology
Background:
- Disulfiram is a medication used to deter the consumption of alcohol by causing an unpleasant physical reaction.
- Acute intentional overdoses of disulfiram are rare, especially in adolescents.
Observation:
- A 15-year-old boy presented with severe neurological symptoms following a disulfiram overdose (approximately 30g).
- Clinical manifestations included nystagmus, coma, seizures, and subsequent impairment of memory and perception.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed signal abnormalities in the corpus callosum, suggestive of demyelination.
Findings:
- The patient experienced significant central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, indicated by neurological disturbances and neuropsychological assessments.
- Despite initial severe symptoms and MRI findings, the patient made a full clinical recovery within 30 days.
- Follow-up MRI at 90 days showed complete resolution of the brain abnormalities.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for severe, yet reversible, neurological and neuroimaging changes following acute disulfiram toxicity.
- It underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis and supportive care in managing disulfiram overdose.
- Neuroimaging, particularly MRI, can detect transient structural brain changes in cases of severe toxic exposure.