Case Report
Metronidazole-induced encephalopathy
Submitted: 10 October 2020 | Published: 18 March 2021
About the author(s)
Vikash G. Lala, Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South AfricaBilal Bobat, Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty Internal Medicine, Wits Donald Gordan Medical Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
Mark Haagensen, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits Donald Gordan Medical Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
Prakash Kathan, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits Donald Gordan Medical Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
Adam Mahomed, Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg; Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty Internal Medicine, Wits Donald Gordan Medical Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
Abstract
Metronidazole is a widely used antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent for a number of conditions. Whilst its more common gastrointestinal side effects are well known, neurotoxicity remains under-recognised. Both central and peripheral neurological side effects have been described. This report describes a case of radiologically confirmed metronidazole-induced cerebellar ataxia in a cirrhotic patient with a review of the literature. Awareness of this side effect is essential for prompt recognition as early drug withdrawal leads to resolution in the majority of cases.
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Crossref Citations
1. Metronidazole-induced Cerebellar Neurotoxicity
Jyoti Aggarwal, Monica Gupta, Zainab Mehdi, Arushi Yadav, Nidhi Arora
Medical Journal of Babylon vol: 19 issue: 1 first page: 107 year: 2022
doi: 10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_97_21