Metronidazole-Induced Neurotoxicity Developed in Liver Cirrhosis

Abstract

A 68 year-old-male with hepatitis C-positive liver cirrhosis was admitted because of liver abscess. After metronidazole was initiated against the infection, mental disturbance appeared. Hepatic encephalopathy was suspected at first, however, the brain MRI showed hyperintense lesion of the bilateral basal dendric nuclei which indicated metronidazole-associated encephalopathy. The symptoms became well after cessation of the drug. Metronidazole is a widely used medicine against various infections. Recent case reports describe that this medicine can induce reversible encephalopathy. However, there have been few reports regarding metronidazole-induced encephalopathy occurred in patients with cirrhosis. Here we report on a case of hepatic cirrhosis and abscess in which reversible metronidazole-induced encephalopathy developed.