• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2009

Marchiafava-Bignami disease(MBD) is a rare complication of chronic alcoholism characterized by symmetrical demyelination of the corpus callosum. We report a case of MBD in a Korean patient having chronic alcohol dependence. The patient exhibited mental depression, weakness of all four limbs and dysarthria. Laboratory data showed mild hyponatremia. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) revealed unusual symmetrical resolving lesions of the putamen in addition to the typically observed lesion of the corpus callosum. The neurologic disturbances were gradually improved with the normalization of low plasma sodium levels. Marked improvement of abnormal MRI findings was noted after thiamine supplement, though the patient still exhibited severe cognitive impairment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.569-572
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• 2004

Marchiafava-Bignami Disease(MBD) is a rate disease caused by chronic alcohol abuse and involves the degeneration of corpus callosum pathological in character. Until recently there was no method to diagnose MBD except postmortem examination, but nowadays rodiology has advanced increasingly, so MBD can be diagnosed correftly and easily. A case of MBD with stroke symptoms is reported. A 56-year-old man who has been a heavy alcoholic for several years was admitted with stroke symptoms such as stuporous mental, hemi-extremities weakness, dysphasia and dysphagia. After treatment these symptoms were improved.