Table of Contents
Washington University Experience | METABOLIC | Alcoholism - Overview | Alcohol - Anterior Superior Vermis | 8A0 Case 8 History
Case 8 History ---- This patient was a 72 year old female with history of hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and GERD admitted for dyspnea and pneumonia and, subsequently, pneumothorax, acute renal failure, and acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS) requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. The patient developed a coagulopathy, multi-organ infection and, terminally, cardiovascular arrest followed by absent brainstem function. It was thought that cerebellar vermal atrophy might be related to an underlying nutritional abnormality in this patient with multiple medical problems, although a complex history such as this patient had, may confound simple explanations. This case demonstrates anterior superior vermal atrophy with no definitive history of alcoholism. Alcoholism may be hidden from investigators by the patient or the patient's family.
