Neuroimaging supports the clinical diagnosis of methanol poisoning

Abstract

In addition to visual loss, methanol intoxication can cause brain damage that is revealed by neuroimaging. We report on a 34-year-old man whose visual acuity deteriorated dramatically during his journey round the world, shortly after an evening with excessive alcohol consumption. Two months after the start of visual disturbances he returned to Finland. At examination, poor visual acuity and glaucomatously cupped pale optic discs were detected. The history and clinical findings indicated possible methanol intoxication, which was supported by both CT and MRI. The MRI findings are discussed in the light of the MRI appearance of the pallidum nuclei among patients of different age groups.