An Unusual Case of Metronidazole-Induced Encephalopathy in a Patient with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Authors

Tina H. Dao, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USAFollow
Kinza Khan, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
Christopher D. Jackson, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA

Abstract

Metronidazole-induced encephalopathy (MIE) is a rare toxic encephalopathy. We describe a reversible MIE case in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), treated with metronidazole for brain abscess, who developed dizziness, weakness, dysarthria, and severe dysmetria. His Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain revealed bilateral, symmetric lesions in bilateral symmetrical regions of increased intensity in the medullary olives, cerebellar dentate nuclei, and the dorsal pons, all characteristic of MIE. Upon metronidazole discontinuation, the patient experienced significant symptom improvement, with subsequent MRI showing resolution of the lesions

Recommended Citation

Dao, Tina H.; Khan, Kinza; and Jackson, Christopher D. (2024) "An Unusual Case of Metronidazole-Induced Encephalopathy in a Patient with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia," Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives: Vol. 14: Iss. 5, Article 8.
DOI: 10.55729/2000-9666.1398
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.gbmc.org/jchimp/vol14/iss5/8