COVID-19-induced acute loss of consciousness in Marchiafava-Bignami disease: a case report.

Among the various manifestations of COVID-19, the neurological implications of SARS-CoV-2 infection are of significant concern. Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD), a neurodegenerative disorder, exhibits a clinical spectrum ranging from mild progressive dementia in its chronic form to states of acute coma and varied mortality rates. Acute MBD primarily occurs in chronic alcoholics and malnourished individuals and is characterized by sudden loss of consciousness, seizures, confusion, and psychosis. We herein report a case of MBD presenting as acute loss of consciousness after the development of COVID-19. The patient presented with a history of fever and upper respiratory infection and was diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. He developed a neurological syndrome characterized by altered consciousness and convulsions, and brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal signals in the corpus callosum and frontoparietal lobes. Considering his alcohol intake history and the absence of other differential diagnoses, we diagnosed him with acute MBD triggered by COVID-19. After high-dose vitamin B1 and corticosteroid therapy, his clinical symptoms improved. In this case, we observed a temporal sequence between the development of COVID-19 and acute exacerbation of MBD. This case adds to the mounting evidence suggesting the potential effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the neurological system.

Marchiafava-Bignami disease: why not Marchiafava-Bignami-Carducci disease?

The Marchiafava-Bignami disease has a curious backstory, namely, the publication in 1898 of the Contribution to the Study of Nonsuppurative Encephalitis (Carducci A in Riv Psicol Psichiat Neuropat 8-9:125-135, 1898), in which the neo-graduate Agostino Carducci described the disease that the pathologists Ettore Marchiafava and Amico Bignami would report 5 years later.

Marchiafava-Bignami disease(MBD) involving bilateral handknob area: neuroimages.

Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a metabolic disease of the nervous system. It mainly involves the Corpus callosum, but the handknob area is rarely involved. This article reports a MBD case involving the bilateral handknob area. The involvement of the bilateral handknob area contributes to the clinical presentation of convulsions of both hands. Through this case, more clinicians realize the bilateral handknob area involvement in MBD, which is helpful for the identification and diagnosis of MBD. To our knowledge, this is the first report on MBD involving the bilateral handknob area.

Diagnóstico por imágenes de un síndrome de Wernicke Korsakoff con estigmas de Marchiafava-Bignami / maging diagnosis of Wernicke - Korsakoff syndrome with Marchiafava-Bignami stigmat

Las enfermedades de Marchiafava-Bignami y de Wernicke Korsakoff, se consideran complicaciones neuropsiquiátricas causadas por el consumo crónico de bebidas alcohólicas. Son encefalopatías poco frecuentes caracterizadas por una desmielinización y necrosis del cuerpo calloso, con la subsiguiente atrofia por daño en las partes bajas del cerebro (tálamo e hipotálamo). Se presenta un paciente masculino de 29 años, con antecedentes de alcoholismo, el cual acude a consulta de Oftalmología por presentar disminución de la visión del ojo derecho durante un año. Se le realizaron, tomografía simple y resonancia magnética con contraste endovenoso de cráneo, donde se observaron hallazgos radiológicos compatibles con el síndrome de Wernicke Korsakoff (ocasiona afectación de la memoria y el aprendizaje) con estigmas de Marchiafava-Bignami (enfermedad poco conocida). Es necesario el dominio de la epistemología de estas enfermedades, porque, a pesar del mal pronóstico en su forma aguda, se reportan casos con buena evolución, si se le realiza un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos.

Marchiafava-Bignami and Wernicke-Korsakoff diseases are considered neuropsychiatric complications caused by the chronic consumption of alcoholic beverages. They are rare encephalopathies characterized by demyelination and necrosis of the corpus callosum, with subsequent atrophy due to damage in the lower parts of the brain (thalamus and hypothalamus). We present a 29-year-old male patient with a history of alcoholism who went to the Ophthalmology consultation due to decreased vision in his right eye for a year. Simple tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with intravenous contrast of the skull were performed, observing radiological findings of Wernicke -Korsakoff syndrome (affect memory and learning) with Marchiafava-Bignami stigmata (little-known disease). Mastery of the epistemology of these diseases is necessary, because, despite the poor prognosis in its acute form, cases with good evolution are reported, if an opportune diagnosis and treatment is made.

Clinico-radiologic subtypes and therapeutic observation of acute Marchiafava-Bignami disease.

We aimed to investigate the clinico-radiologic features of acute Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) and its evolutionary process after effective treatment through subgroup comparison. The clinical and MRI data of 23 patients with acute MBD were retrospectively analyzed and divided into type A (12 cases, with entire callosal involvement) and type B (11 cases, with focal callosal involvement). The clinical assessments and MRI findings (before and after treatment) were compared between the two subtypes. Compared with type B, type A had lower MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) scores at admission (16.50 ± 1.73 vs 18.27 ± 1.68, P = 0.021) and were more common with extracallosal involvement (66.67% vs 18.18%, P = 0.036) and longer illness duration (18.3 ± 2.1 days vs 15.6 ± 2.4 days, P = 0.012). During the treatment, the residual lesion in the splenium was more common in type A (58.33% vs 9.09%, P = 0.027). After treatment, the MoCa scores of both subtypes gradually increased (P < 0.001), and the callosal and extracallasal lesions disappeared completely. Clinico-radiologic typing of acute MBD is related to the severity of early symptoms, but not to the prognosis. Complete clinico-radiologic recovery is possible for both subtypes with combined treatment. The clinico-radiologic reversibility is helpful for accurate diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation.

Reversible hyperintensity in middle cerebellar peduncles. An infrequent finding in Marchiafava-Bignami disease. / Hiperintensidad reversible en los pedúnculos cerebelosos medios. Un hallazgo infrecuente en la enfermedad de Marchiafava-Bignami.

TITLE: Hiperintensidad reversible en los pedúnculos cerebelosos medios. Un hallazgo infrecuente en la enfermedad de Marchiafava-Bignami.

Risk factors and dynamic nomogram for unfavorable prognosis of Marchiafava-Bignami disease.

OBJECTIVE: Most patients with Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) had unfavorable prognosis, with disability or death. We aimed to determine the risk factors of early unfavorable prognosis of MBD, and to develop a predictive nomogram for early unfavorable prognosis of MBD. METHODS: MBD patients admitted to our hospital between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2021 were included. Unfavorable prognosis was defined as mRS score ≥3, the independent risk factors for unfavorable prognosis of MBD with the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidential interval (CI) acquired by multiple logistic regression were included in development of the predictive nomogram for early unfavorable prognosis of MBD, and the area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated. The published case reports of MBD were used as the external validation group to verify the predictive ability of the nomogram. RESULTS: Independent risk factors for early unfavorable prognosis of MBD included Glasgow Coma Scale score (OR = 0.636, 95% CI = 0.506-0.800, p = 0.004) and pneumonia (OR = 2.317, 95% CI = 1.003-5.352, p = 0.049). The AUC of the nomogram was 0.852. Ninety-four case reports, a total of 100 cases of MBD were included as the external validation group, its AUC was 0.840. The online dynamic nomogram for early unfavorable prognosis of MBD was constructed. INTERPRETATION: It is confirmed by external validation that the nomogram has a preferable predictive ability and clinical efficacy, and the dynamic online predictive nomogram is helpful for physicians to quickly assess the prognosis of MBD.

From Mild Gait Difficulties to a Sudden Coma: A Rare Case of Marchiafava-Bignami Disease.

ABSTRACT: In this case report we describe the case of a 66-year old man with subacute gait difficulties, with a progression to confusion coma with multiple generalised epileptic seizures during the following days. Biochemical analysis showed hyperglycaemia, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing showed a mild lymphocytic pleocytosis and an elevated protein and lactate. Broad-spectrum antibiotics and antiviral therapy where initiated. However, all other CSF testing remained negative. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed remarkably symmetric hyperintense T2 white matter lesions most noticable in the corpus callosum. The lesion pattern was suggestive of a metabolic or toxic encephalopathy, the preponderance for the corpus callosum was furthermore suggestive for Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MDB), as was the clinical course since admission of the patient. A high dose IV substitution of vitamin B1, B6 and B12 was started and antibiotic and antiviral therapy was discontinued. After one day the patient showed progressive regaining of consciousness and he returned to premorbid functioning in a matter of 1-2 weeks. MRI of the brain after 1 week showed notable improvement of the white matter lesions. At routine follow-up two weeks later he presented with icterus and a diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) hepatitis was made, lymph node biopsies showed an EBV positive diffuse large cell B-cell lymphoma (DLCBL). MDB is mostly associated with severe alcoholism, with malnourishment being the second leading cause, however there are case reports describing MDB in patients with chronically poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. We hypothesize that his condition may have been precipitated by his poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. However it is also possible that weight loss (probably related to the DLCBL diagnosis) might have contributed to a state of malnourishment and therefore played a role in the aetiology as well.

Marchiafava-Bignami disease presenting as reversible coma.

Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare demyelinating condition of the corpus callosum and subcortical white matter that is most commonly seen in alcoholic patients. The course of the disease varies with symptoms that range from dementia to complete coma; severe intermittent sympathetic storming with abnormal posturing is often reported in literature. It is presumably secondary to a deficiency of B complex vitamins, specifically thiamine and many patients have clinical improvement after repletion of B vitamins. We present a case of a 35-year-old man who developed MBD secondary to polysubstance misuse without history of alcohol use. His clinical course was complicated by persistent comatose state with autonomic dysfunction. After the administration of high-dose thiamine and vitamin C and E, the patient regained consciousness and was able to follow commands within 48 hours. Furthermore, this case showed recognising brain MRI findings for MBD is a crucial step in disease identification.

Marchiafava-Bignami disease in a patient with schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder.

Substance-related disorders are the most frequent comorbidity in schizophrenia. Concretely, alcohol is the most commonly consumed substance after tobacco. Patients with schizophrenia with this comorbidity have a worse clinical course and can develop serious neuropsychiatric complications. One of them, Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) can be incorrectly diagnosed as a decompensation of their mental disorder.

Disconnected Motor Intention and Spatial Attention in a Case of Probable Marchiafava-Bignami Disease.

Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare complication of chronic alcoholism that typically causes demyelination and necrosis of the corpus callosum. Here, we report a man with probable MBD with callosal and right medial paracentral lesions who presented with abnormal reaching behavior and ideomotor apraxia of the left hand. He exhibited difficulty in reaching with the left hand when a target object was placed on his right-hand side, and he exhibited rightward bias when using his right hand in a line bisection task. These disturbances in reaching suggest disruption of the top-down control of motor intention and spatial attention at the corpus callosum.

NOTA CLÍNICA: Enfermedad deMarchiafava-Bignami en un paciente con esquizofrenia y trastorno por uso de alcohol / CLINICAL NOTE: Marchiafava-Bignami disease in a patient with schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder

Introducción: Los trastornos por abuso de sustancias sonla comorbilidad más frecuente en la esquizofrenia, siendo elalcohol, concretamente, la sustancia más frecuentementeconsumida tras el tabaco. Los pacientes con esquizofreniaque presentan esta comorbilidad presentan una peor evolución clínica y pueden desarrollar graves complicaciones neuropsiquiátricas. Una de ellas, la enfermedad de Marchiafava-Bignami (EMB), puede ser erróneamente diagnosticadacomo una descompensación del trastorno mental, conllevando graves consecuencias.Método. Se presenta el caso de un varón de 51 años,diagnosticado de esquizofrenia y trastorno por consumode alcohol. Experimentó síntomas neuropsiquiátricos agudos por los que se sospechó una descompensación de suesquizofrenia. Dada la presentación clínica atípica y susantecedentes médicos, se sospechó una patología orgánicay se realizó una prueba de imagen cerebral en la que sediagnosticó una EMB.Conclusiones. La EMB es una entidad clínica infrecuenteque debe formar parte del diagnóstico diferencial en pacientes con trastorno por consumo de alcohol que experimenten síntomas neuropsiquiátricos atípicos. (AU)

Introduction: Substance-related disorders are the mostfrequent comorbidity in schizophrenia. Concretely, alcohol isthe most commonly consumed substance after tobacco. Patients with schizophrenia with this comorbidity have a worseclinical course and can develop serious neuropsychiatriccomplications. One of them, Marchiafava-Bignami disease(MBD) can be incorrectly diagnosed as a decompensation oftheir mental disorder.Methods. A case of a 51-year-old man, diagnosed withschizophrenia and alcohol use disorder is presented. He experienced acute neuropsychiatric symptoms for which schizophrenia decompensation was suspected. Based on his atypical symptoms and medical history, a brain imaging test wasperformed and MBD was diagnosed.Conclusions. MBD is an infrequent clinical entity thatshould be part of differential diagnosis in patients with alcohol abuse disorder experiencing atypical neuropsychiatricsymptoms. (AU)

Comprehensive neuropsychological findings in a case of Marchiafava-Bignami disease.

OBJECTIVE: Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare complication associated with chronic heavy alcohol use, with case reports documenting a range of cognitive outcomes. Given the variability in MBD presentation and outcomes, milder cases may remain undiagnosed and few studies or case reports have presented a comprehensive neuropsychological profile of these patients. The objective of this case study was to describe the neuropsychological presentation and findings of a case of likely MBD. METHOD: The patient was a 46-year-old, African American female with a complex history of malnutrition and alcohol abuse presenting for outpatient neuropsychological evaluation. She was administered a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests as part of routine clinical care. RESULTS: Neuropsychological data demonstrated severe deficits in executive functions, complex visuoconstruction, and motor dexterity, as well as an amnestic verbal and visual memory pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, data and the patient's initial presentation of acute behavioral change were consistent with some reports of cognitive and behavioral sequela of MBD. Additionally, the patient's history of chronic poor nutritional intake with exacerbation from chronic heavy alcohol use, and imaging findings of severe cerebral/corpus callosum white matter loss and bilateral frontoparietal atrophy, were highly suggestive of MBD.