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[Polyneuropathy caused by disulfiram poisoning].
Archiv Fur Psychiatrie Und Nervenkrankheiten
|January 1, 1983
Summary
Disulfiram overdose can cause severe neurological damage, including toxic encephalopathy and peripheral neuropathy. This case highlights a 2-year recovery from severe paralysis after a suicide attempt with a large disulfiram dose.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Neurology
Background:
- Disulfiram is a medication used to deter alcohol consumption.
- Known side effects include toxic encephalopathy and peripheral neuropathy.
- High-dose ingestion can lead to severe neurological complications.
Observation:
- A 37-year-old male ingested 22.5g of disulfiram in a suicide attempt.
- Initial symptoms included stupor, cerebellar ataxia, and dysarthric speech.
- Later developed coma, followed by peripheral neuropathy (diplegia faciei, tetraparesis) upon recovery.
Findings:
- Electromyography revealed denervation potentials in facial and limb muscles with normal conduction velocity.
- Sural nerve biopsy confirmed axonal degeneration.
- Neurofilamentous axonopathy was identified as the underlying pathology.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates the potential for severe, long-lasting neurological sequelae from massive disulfiram overdose.
- Highlights the importance of recognizing and managing disulfiram-induced neurotoxicity.
- Suggests a prolonged recovery period for patients experiencing disulfiram-related peripheral neuropathy and axonopathy.