Neurologic emergencies in acute alcoholic intoxication
Laurent, B.; Garnier, P.
La Revue du Praticien 43(16): 2056-2059
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-2640 PMID: 8134785 Document Number: 406067
Neurologic complications of acute alcohol intake are less well known to the general practitioner than those punctuating the course of chronic alcohol dependency. The state of ebriety is a poor incentive to precise neurologic analysis and follow-up. Nevertheless, only such surveillance in acute intoxication can distinguish a specific neurological complication, a complication following a fall or prolonged immobilisation, or rapid decompensation of alcoholic encephalopathy. Among the specific complications, myopathies and strokes are described here because of their rarity compared to the more common epilepsy and withdrawal syndromes. The neurologic semiology of ebriety is reviewed, including recent pathophysiological acquisitions specifying the mechanism of functional disorders in regions susceptible to alcohol such as the cerebellum and the reticular formation.