[Disulfiram-induced polyneurophaty]

Disulfiram is used in the treatment of chronic alcoholism, because of the unpleasant symptoms produced after ethanol intake. Although it is well tolerated in most patients, one in 15,000 patients will develop peripheral neuropathy every year, which is frequently misdiagnosed as alcoholic neuropathy.

We report clinical, laboratory, electrophysiological and histopathological features in a 19-year-old patient who developed an acute distal sensorymotor neuropathy during the treatment of alcoholism. At the end of 4-month treatment with disulfiram 250 mg/day, the patient complained of weakness in distal segments of the lower limbs associated with burning dysesthesias, numbness and pain in the soles of the feet and the legs below the knees; reduction in foot strength, the absence of ankle jerk tendon reflexes, and tactile stocking pin-pick and vibratory sensory impairment in the lower limbs below the knee. Recovery was successful after treatment cessation.

The significance of toxic neuropathy is shown by the fact that the recognition of clinical picture, identifying etiological factors and its elimination may prevent the evolution of polyneuropathy. This allows for more effective treatment of these neuropathies as apposite to idiopathic ones which can be treated only symptomatically. Our case report indicates the possibilities during a period with no serious damage to the axons manifested.