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Updated: Sep 12, 2025
15:05
Functional Evaluation of Biological Neurotoxins in Networked Cultures of Stem Cell-derived Central Nervous System Neurons
Published on: February 5, 2015
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[Metronidazole-induced neurotoxicity]
Julia Tebache1, Maxime Gudelj1
1Service d'Imagerie médicale, CHR Citadelle, Liège, Belgique.
Revue Medicale De Liege
|August 5, 2025
Summary
Metronidazole can cause neurotoxicity, leading to cerebellar syndrome. This case report shows that stopping the drug rapidly resolves these toxic effects and MRI lesions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Toxicology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Metronidazole is an antiparasitic and bactericidal medication.
- Neurotoxicity is a known potential complication of metronidazole, though its pathophysiology is unclear.
- The neurotoxic effects are related to cumulative dose but vary between patients.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old woman developed cerebellar syndrome and motor slowing 29 days after initiating metronidazole for a liver abscess and ascitic fluid infection.
- Cerebral MRI revealed FLAIR hypersignal in the dentate nuclei, characteristic of metronidazole toxic encephalopathy.
- No enhancement or diffusion restriction was observed on MRI.
Findings:
- Metronidazole treatment was discontinued due to neurotoxicity.
- The patient experienced rapid clinical improvement after drug cessation.
- Follow-up MRI after 10 days demonstrated complete resolution of the dentate nuclei lesions.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for metronidazole-induced toxic encephalopathy.
- Prompt recognition and discontinuation of metronidazole can lead to rapid and complete recovery.
- Further research into the pathophysiology of metronidazole neurotoxicity is warranted.
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