Disulfiram induced bilateral foot drop; an under-recognised cause for peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Disulfiram is commonly used in chronic alcoholics as an effective treatment. We report a case of a 50 years old Irishman who was on disulfiram for the last nine years. He developed progressive bilateral foot drop, which started with one foot and later on progressed to bilateral involvement over a period of eight months. Our case report highlights the need to take into consideration disulfiram as one of the possible causes of peripheral neuropathy, which is a rare side effect of this drug.

Abbreviations: Abductor Digiti Minimi – ADM; Extensor Digitorum Brevis – EDB, Abductor Hallucis – AH; Antinuclear antibodies - ANA; Ribonucleoprotein – RNP; Cerebrospinal fluid – CSF; Non-recordable – NR; Electromyography – EMG; Flexor digitorum indicis – FDI; Sensory nerve action potential - SNAP

Citation: Mansoor S, Murphy K, Kelly S. Disulfiram induced bilateral foot drop; an under-recognised cause for peripheral neuropathy. Anaesth pain intensive care 2020;24(1):__

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35975/apic.v24i1.

Received – 28 December 2019;

Reviewed – 10 January 2020;

Accepted - 10 January 2020;