Abstract
Marchiafava–Bignami disease (MBD), an acute toxic demyelination of the corpus callosum in alcoholics, is associated with poor evolution in the majority of patients. We report here the early and late diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) studies of two patients suffering from MBD with favourable outcome. Diffusion and anatomical MRI changes were parallel to the clinical evolution, suggesting that MRI studies can be helpful for diagnosis and follow-up. Unlike in stroke, restricted diffusion on ADC maps does not seem to be a sign of irreversibility.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Marchiafava E, Bignami A (1903) Sopra un’alterazione del corpo calloso osservata in soggetti alcoolisti. Riv Patol Nerv 8:544–549
Estruch R, Bono G, Laine P, Antunez E, Petrucci A, Morocutti C, Hillbom M (1998) Brain imaging in alcoholism. Eur J Neurol 5:119–135
Chang KH, Cha SH, Han MH, Park SH, Nah DL, Hong JH (1992) Marchiafava–Bignami disease: serial changes in corpus callosum on MRI. Neuroradiology 34:480–482
Friese SA, Bitzer M, Freudenstein D, Voigt K, Küker W (2000) Classification of acquired lesions of the corpus callosum with MRI. Neuroradiology 42:795–802
Bourekas EC, Varakis K, Bruns D, Cristoforidis GA, Baujan M, Slone HW, Kehagias D (2002) Lesion of the corpus callosum: MR imaging and differential considerations in adults and children. AJR Am J Roentgenol 179:251–257
Arbelaez A, Pajon A, Castillo M (2003) Acute Marchiafava–Bignami disease: MR findings in two patients. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 24:1955–1957
Kawarabuki K, Sakakibara T, Hirai M, Yoshiyoka Y, Yamamoto Y, Yamaki T (2003) Marchiafava–Bignami disease: magnetic resonance imaging findings in corpus callosum and subcortical white matter. Eur J Neurol 48:175–177
Ishii K, Ikejiri Y, Sasaki M, Kitagaki H, Mori E (1999) Regional cerebral glucose metabolism and blood flow in a patient with Marchiafava–Bignami disease. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 20:1249–1251
Inagaki T, Saito K (2000) A case of Marchiafava–Bignami disease demonstrated by MR diffusion-weighted image. No To Shinkei 52:633–637
Sugeno N, Nagai M, Shiga Y, Shiina G, Itoyama Y (2002) A case of Marchiafava–Bignami disease: serial changes with diffusion-weighted MR imaging. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 42:51–53
Van Everdingen KJ, Van der Grond J, Kappelle LJ, Ramos LMP, Mali WPTM (1998) Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in acute stroke. Stroke 29:1783–1790
Acknowledgement
Our thanks go to the whole MRI staff of the radiology department of Lyon Sud Hospital.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hlaihel, C., Gonnaud, PM., Champin, S. et al. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in Marchiafava–Bignami disease: follow-up studies. Neuroradiology 47, 520–524 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-005-1368-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-005-1368-6