Open AccessMetronidazole‐induced encephalopathy associated with treatment for liver abscesses
Author(s) -
Hanji Yurika,
Sasaki Yosuke,
Matsumoto Yosuke,
Maeda Tadashi,
Urita Yoshihisa
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of general and family medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2189-7948
DOI - 10.1002/jgf2.53
Subject(s) - medicine , metronidazole , discontinuation , magnetic resonance imaging , ataxia , differential diagnosis , encephalopathy , pediatrics , radiology , surgery , antibiotics , pathology , psychiatry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Metronidazole‐induced encephalopathy ( MIE ) is a rare condition in Japan. We report the case of a patient with MIE who presented with abducens paralysis and ataxia without underlying risk factors. A history of metronidazole ( MNZ ) administration and rapid improvement after MNZ discontinuation are important in making this diagnosis, and characteristic findings of magnetic resonance imaging support the diagnosis. MIE is expected to become common in Japan as the use of MNZ increases because of expanded insurance coverage. Therefore, MIE needs to be recognized as a differential diagnosis of the central nervous symptoms in patients taking MNZ .