Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 21, 2026

A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients
03:47

A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients

Published on: October 25, 2024

619

The Occurrence of Metronidazole-Induced Encephalopathy in Cancer Patients: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Study

Jui-Ping Tsai1,2, Kevin Li-Chun Hsieh2,3,4, Tu-Hsueh Yeh1,2,5

  • 1Department of Neurology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology
|July 31, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Metronidazole-induced encephalopathy (MIE) is a rare complication in cancer patients. Monitoring is recommended for genitourinary cancer patients, especially those with renal dysfunction, to improve outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Metronidazole-induced encephalopathy (MIE) is a rare but serious complication of metronidazole, an antianaerobic drug.
  • Previous studies noted MIE symptoms like cerebellar ataxia and confusion, often after prolonged metronidazole use.
  • Malignancy has been suggested as a predisposing factor, but MIE occurrence in cancer patients was unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the occurrence of MIE in cancer patients.
  • To identify risk factors and clinical characteristics of MIE in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of hospital-based data from 4160 cancer patients.
  • Focus on 793 patients who received metronidazole therapy for anaerobic infections between January 2014 and December 2016.

Main Results:

  • Two cases of MIE were identified among 793 cancer patients treated with metronidazole.
  • Both MIE cases involved genitourinary cancers (renal cell carcinoma and bladder urothelial carcinoma) and presented with cerebellar dysfunction.
  • MIE occurrence was 8.6% in patients receiving >30 g cumulative metronidazole dose.
  • Common comorbidities included hypertension, chronic renal disease, and diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions:

  • MIE should be monitored in cancer patients, particularly those with genitourinary cancers and renal dysfunction.
  • Increased duration and cumulative dose of metronidazole correlate with a higher risk of MIE.
  • Early recognition and prompt discontinuation of metronidazole may lead to better patient outcomes.
Keywords:
Anaerobic infectioncancerencephalopathymetronidazole

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Feasibility of Using Amplitude-Integrated EEG During Neonatal Transport05:15

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Feasibility of Using Amplitude-Integrated EEG During Neonatal Transport

Published on: June 21, 2024

1.3K
Standardization of Basket Use in Sialendoscopy: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study09:36

Standardization of Basket Use in Sialendoscopy: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study

Published on: June 6, 2025

539

Related Concept Videos

Hospitals-II00:59

Hospitals-II

Hospitals provide inpatient and outpatient services. Inpatient services provide care to patients that stay in the hospital for an extended period, ranging from days to months. Examples of inpatient services include intensive care units, hospital wards, or surgeries. Outpatient services provide care to patients who come to a hospital for a diagnostic or treatment but do not stay overnight —for example, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, or health education.
Nurses that work in...
1.1K
Hospitals-I01:28

Hospitals-I

Hospitals offer medical and surgical care to the sick and injured, along with accommodation while they recover. At the same time, they also provide outpatient, emergency, psychiatric, and rehabilitation services to meet various community needs. In addition to providing medical care, hospitals also act as hubs for medical research and training. Hospitals use clinical procedures and evidence-based practice standards to deliver patient care. To deliver safe and efficient care, a nurse must stay up...
1.5K
Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report01:21

Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report

An Incident or Occurrence Report in a healthcare setting is a crucial document used to record any unexpected occurrence that may or may not have affected a patient, employee, or visitor. Such reports are critical to improving patient safety and include all details leading up to and including the event.
Purposes:
In the healthcare industry, reports play a crucial role in documenting incidents within an agency. The primary objective of these reports is to ensure patient safety, uphold the...
1.2K
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers01:51

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
6.9K
Mouse Models of Cancer Study02:43

Mouse Models of Cancer Study

Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
6.4K
Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients01:15

Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients

Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...
145