[Encefalopathy as a side effect of metronidazole therapy – a case report].
Encefalopathy as a side effect of metronidazole therapy - a case report  Neurological symptoms as side effects of pharmacological treatment generally tend to remain underdiagnosed. In this report, we present a case of a 79 year old patient that developed encephalopathy whilst undergoing prophylactic treatment with Metronidazole. The initial presentation of disseminated neurological symptoms lead to the suspicion of a cerebrovascular lesion. However, exacerbation of symptomatology with gait disturbance, ataxia and dysarthria challenged the preliminary diagnosis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated T2 hyper-intensity over bilateral dentate nuclei. A drug history revealed that the patient had been treated with Metronidazole daily for several weeks due to a surgical condition. Cessation of the drug provided reversal of symptoms and radiological findings upon follow up MRI. This case report aims at increasing awareness regarding side effects of Metronidazole as well as early detection in patients who present with neurological symptoms.
Danderyds Sjukhus AB - Internal medicin Stockholm, Sweden Danderyds Sjukhus AB - Internal medicin Stockholm, Sweden.
Marina
M
Karayianni
Danderyds sjukhus - Röntgenavd Stockholm, Sweden Danderyds sjukhus - Röntgenavd Stockholm, Sweden.
Anders
A
von Heijne
Strokeenh, Medicinkliniken, Danderyds sjh - Stockholm, Sweden.
Ann-Charlotte
AC
Laska
D000038:Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001259:Ataxia / Q000139:chemically induced; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008795:Metronidazole