Marchiafava-Binyamy Syndrome

Marchiafava-Bignami syndrome is a rare blood disorder characterized by the destruction of red blood cells. It is named after the Italian pathologists Ettore Marchiafava and Amedeo Bignami, who first described the disease in 1911.

The main symptoms of Marchiafava-Bignami syndrome are anemia due to hemolysis of red blood cells and neurological disorders such as vision loss, ataxia and dementia. This is due to brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

The causes of Marchiafava-Bignami syndrome are not completely clear. It is believed that it may be caused by an enzyme deficiency or a metabolic disorder of red blood cells. Risk factors include alcoholism, HIV infection and vitamin B12 deficiency.

Diagnosis is based on a blood test showing anemia and an MRI of the brain. Treatment is aimed at restoring red blood cell levels and symptomatic therapy. The prognosis of patients with Marchiafava-Bignami syndrome may be poor due to neurological complications. However, with early diagnosis and adequate treatment, significant improvement in the condition is possible.

Some patients with alcoholic cirrhosis develop specific lesions in the brain. The disease is named after the Italian neurologist Adalmo Marchiafava and his colleague Vito Signor Antinori Bignami. It also received another name - accidental myelography (AMG) or