Acute alcohol intoxication presenting acquired lesion of the corpus callosum in a young healthy woman: A case of possible Marchiafava–Bignami disease

Background

Marchiafava–Bignami disease is a rare neurological disease characterized by acquired lesions of the corpus callosum. Although the major causative etiology is chronic alcoholism, a case caused by acute alcohol intoxication has not yet been reported.

Case Presentation

A 19-year-old female with no known medical history or a history of chronic alcohol consumption was brought to the emergency department in a coma after binge alcohol consumption. Even after an overnight observation, she remained comatose. After a thorough examination including magnetic resonance imaging, which showed lesions of the corpus callosum, she was treated with thiamine for Marchiafava–Bignami disease. She recovered completely and at the follow-up, the callosum lesion had resolved.

Conclusion

This is a rare case within the spectrum of Marchiafava–Bignami disease caused by acute consumption of alcohol. Clinicians should be aware of this potentially devastating critical condition among patients with severe alcohol intoxication, which might have been overlooked.