Ophtalmoplegie, syndrome cerebelleux et troubles de la vigilance reversibles apres intoxication a la phenytoine. [Reversible ophthalmoplegia, cerebellar syndrome and vigilance disorders following phenytoin poisoning]

A 20-year-old man developed marked ophthalmoplegia and cerebellar symptoms after suicidal intoxication with phenytoin (maximal plasmatic level 73.6 mg/l). Symptoms of toxicity completely resolved with supportive care and with activated charcoal. The clinical picture of acute phenytoin intoxication is reviewed. The most common disorders are ataxia, nystagmus and mental status changes, but ophthalmoplegia is rare