Marchiafava-Bignami disease, first described in 1903, is a rare condition characterized by demyelination of the corpus callosum seen in patients with chronic alcoholism or nutritional susceptibility. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently the most sensitive diagnostic tool (Figure). A 24-year-old man, with a background of high level of alcohol abuse since he was 12, presented since last year behavioral and psychotic clinical manifestations characterized by elaborated visual and auditory delusions.
Figure
Axial FLAIR image (Panel A, arrow) shows hyperintensity in the splenium of the corpus callosum. Sagittal T1-weighted image (Panel B, arrow) demonstrates the focal nature of this lesion. Three-dimensional fiber tracking of corpus callosum coregistered onto a parasagittal FLAIR image (Panel C) discloses a substantial decrease in fibers crossing through the splenium.
Axial FLAIR image (Panel A, arrow) shows hyperintensity in the splenium of the corpus callosum. Sagittal T1-weighted image (Panel B, arrow) demonstrates the focal nature of this lesion. Three-dimensional fiber tracking of corpus callosum coregistered onto a parasagittal FLAIR image (Panel C) discloses a substantial decrease in fibers crossing through the splenium.
References
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1Marchiafava E, Bignami A. Sopra un alterazione del corpo calloso osservata in soggetti alcoolisti. Riv Patol Nerv Ment. 1903;8:544-9.
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2Hillbom M, Saloheimo P, Fujioka S, Wszolek ZK, Juvela S, Leone MA. Diagnosis and management of Marchiafava-Bignami desease: a review of CT/MRI confirmed cases. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2014;85(2):168-73. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2013-305979
Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
11 Aug 2015 -
Date of issue
Oct 2015
History
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Received
17 Apr 2015 -
Accepted
08 May 2015
