Necrosis of the Putamen, Globus Pallidus and Parkinsonian Disorder Caused by Methanol Intoxication

Methanol is a toxic material and is found as an ingredient of many products, such as anti freezes and washer fluid. Acute poisoning is a rare accidental or suicidal intoxication or occurs after ingestion of alcohol. Methanol poisoning can cause severe metabolic acidosis, neurologic dysfunction, visual loss, parkinsonism, and death. Basal ganglia necrosis, and subcortical white matter lesions are the most frequent CT scan and MRI findings.Case Report: Our patient is a 20 year old man, who was brought to the emergency department with decreased level of consciousness several hours after ingestion of alcohol. Brain CT scan and MRI findings were bilateral putaminal necrosis, and subcortical white matter lesions. Parkinsonism, paraplegia, polyneuropathy were the side effects. However, he is bedridden at home with nursing care and suffers from persistent neurologic sequelae. Alcohol abuse is one of the causes of methanol toxicity. Due to the late effects (after 12-24hrs) and delay in hospital referring, CNS sequelae and parkinsonism syndrome or paraplegia or polyneuropathy can occur. The best treatment is prophylaxis, that is achievable through education and giving more information. The side effects are irreversible that highlight the importance of prophylaxis.