Marchiafava-Bignami disease post-bariatric surgery: A case report and review of similar cases.

Abstract

Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare neurological disorder typically occurring in alcoholic patients. The main disease mechanism is hypothesized to be vitamin B-complex deficiency due to malnutrition. In the literature, there have been few reported cases of the disease occurring in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. This paper presents a case study of a 45-year-old non-alcoholic female who underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy presenting with progressive worsening weakness of her lower limbs and slurred speech. Her condition continued to deteriorate, and she became mute and bedbound. The MRI revealed distinctive characteristics consistent with MBD. The diagnosis was confirmed following the exclusion of all other possible diagnoses. She was treated with multivitamins and had a significant improvement. Additionally, we conduct a review of similar cases of this condition occurring after bariatric surgery. This report sheds light on the occurrence of this uncommon condition after the bariatric procedures.