Methanol poisoning induced acute onset Parkinsonism, optic neuritis and peripheral neuropathy in a patient

Abstract

Methanol poisoning is a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition. It can result in signifi cant neurological toxicities such as optic neuritis, encephalopathy, ataxia, polyneuropathy and parkinsonism. Concomitant presence of optic neuritis, parkinsonism and peripheral neuropathy in a patient of methanol intoxication has been very rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of a young male who developed acute onset parkinsonism, optic neuritis and peripheral neuropathy with evidence of putaminal necrosis following methanol poisoning. Early therapy can salvage a patient as well as minimize potentially catastrophic complications. Despite adequate management, a signifi cant proportion of patients do develop devastating neurological defi cits, which plague them for the rest of their lives. Abstract Access this article onlineWebsite: www.ijmedph.org

Methanol Opticaltoxic Neuropathy in Alcoholic Patient: Case Report

“…Less commonly, methanol causes peripheral neuropathy. However, in the case reported, neuropathy is more likely to be related to the condition associated with alcoholism, and vitamin B12 deficiency currently under treatment [6].…”

“…Thiamine by reversing the effects of intoxication by ethyl alcohol and by analogy is also used in methanol intoxication [14]. Folic acid is also used in an attempt to increase hepatic metabolism of formic acid in CO2 and water [4,6]. Most reported cases of methanol intoxication did not measure serum vitamin B12 levels.…”

“…This fact explains the delay from its ingestion to the beginning of clinical symptoms. These are characterized by headache, nausea, and vomiting, visual loss and in severe cases coma or death with marked metabolic acidosis [6].…”

Introducing a Possible Proteomic and Genomic Biomarker Panel Related to Methanol Poisoning: A Review

“…Brain MRI of MP patients has shown sub-acute hemorrhages in the periventricular white matter, putamen, external capsule, and superior cerebellar peduncle on both sides of the brain (Figure 2) (27,28). Methanol poisoning can lead to parkinsonism and polyneuropathy, with signs including bradykinesia, hypokinesia, tremor at rest, and slow speech (29)(30)(31)(32)(33). Untreated MP can damage parts of the optic system, such as the optic nerve, and pigmented retinal epithelial cells, leading to visual disorders ranging from blurred vision to "snowfield vision" or total blindness in severe poisoning after 72 hours of consumption (34,35).…”