A case study on ongoing cerebellar impairment after acute lithium overdose - Summary - MDSpire

A case study on ongoing cerebellar impairment after acute lithium overdose

  • By

  • Jiabei Nie

  • Qing Gao

  • Yiming Li

  • Xiaomeng Xu

  • Yuyan Tan

  • March 9, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To present a case of persistent cerebellar dysfunction following acute lithium toxicity and discuss its clinical features and implications in conjunction with relevant literature.

Key Findings:
  • The patient developed persistent symptoms of dysarthria, dizziness, vertigo, diplopia, and unsteady gait after acute lithium toxicity.
  • Initial treatment included gastric lavage, fluid resuscitation, and management of seizures and other complications, with specific outcomes noted.
  • Despite normalization of serum lithium levels, cerebellar symptoms persisted, indicating potential irreversible effects.
Interpretation:

This case highlights the risk of persistent neurological deficits, particularly cerebellar dysfunction, following acute lithium overdose, even after lithium levels return to normal, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring.

Limitations:
  • The case is based on a single patient, limiting generalizability.
  • Long-term follow-up data may not fully capture the extent of recovery or ongoing symptoms, and potential biases should be considered.
Conclusion:

Persistent cerebellar impairment can occur after acute lithium overdose, necessitating awareness and appropriate rehabilitation strategies to support recovery and monitoring for long-term effects.

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