Hemispheric disconnection in Marchiafava-Bignami disease: clinical, neuropsychological and MRI findings

J Neurol Sci. 1994 May;123(1-2):2-5. doi: 10.1016/0022-510x(94)90195-3.

Abstract

We report a single-case study of a patient suffering from Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD), a rarely intra vitam diagnosed syndrome with focal demyelination in the corpus callosum, which is usually found in patients with chronic alcohol abuse. Our study explored a variety of motor, sensory and visual functions. Striking features were left apraxia caused by two lesions in the rostral area, and left hemidyslexia related to a large splenial lesion demonstrated by MRI. As symptoms of disconnection may remain undetected clinically, MRI is a most useful tool for the diagnosis of MBD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / pathology
  • Alcoholism / physiopathology
  • Atrophy
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Cerebellum / pathology
  • Corpus Callosum / pathology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / pathology*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / psychology
  • Electroencephalography
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Reading