Wernicke encephalopathy after subtotal gastrectomy for morbid obesity

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is one of the potential complications of obesity surgery. It is an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome resulting from thiamine deficiency often associated with repeated vomiting. The classic triad is frequently reported in these patients (optic neuropathy, ataxia and confusion), associated with uncommon features. Cerebral impairment affects the dorsal medial nucleus of the thalamus and the periaqueductal grey area, appearing on MRI, as hyperintense signals on T2, Flair and Diffusion weighted imaging. Early diagnosis and parenteral thiamine are required to decrease morbidity and mortality. We report a case of WE and Korsakoff's syndrome in a young obese patient after subtotal gastrectomy, who still has substantial sequelae. The contribution of MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging is illustrated. The interest of nutritional supervision in the first weeks and preventive thiamine supplementation in case of repeated vomiting are of particular importance in these risky situations.     

Wernicke脑病综合征10例临床分析

目的:探讨Wernicke脑病(WE)的病因、临床表现特点、MRI表现及预后。方法:对10例WE患者的病因、临床表现、头颅MRI特点和预后进行了回顾性分析。结果:WE病因多与维生素B1缺乏有关,主要临床表现为眼肌麻痹,共济失调、精神异常三联症,但也可以表现为周围神经病、言语障碍等。头颅MRI有特异性部位的异常信号改变。及时予以维生素B1治疗者预后多良好。结论:提高临床对WE的认识,有利于早诊断、早干预,有助于改善WE的预后。     

Restricted Diffusion of the Splenium in Acute Wernicke''s Encephalopathy

Acute Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is caused by profound vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency and commonly presents with the classic clinical triad of mental confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia. This characteristic presentation results from the propensity of acute thiamine deficiency to preferentially injure specific brain regions: the dorsomedial thalamus, periaqueductal gray, and mamillary bodies. In these regions, abnormal magnetic resonance signaling on conventional sequences has been well described; however, diffusion restriction has only recently been reported. The authors demonstrate diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) abnormalities of the splenium of the corpus callosum in a patient with acute WE, which has not been reported previously, and suggest a potential pathological mechanism. With the recent addition of DWI, MRI is becoming more sensitive to the changes in acute WE. Furthermore, the use of apparent diffusion coefficient mapping to evaluate the extent of likely underlying cytotoxic injury may help determine long-term response to vitamin therapy and, thus, disability.     

Wernicke’s encephalopathy in a patient with acute pancreatitis: unusual cortical involvement and marvelous prognosis

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a severe neurological disorder caused by thiamine deficiency. Clinically, it is most frequently observed in people with alcohol abuse. WE, however, can occur in any clinical condition associated with malnutrition or thiamine deficiency. We present the case of a 47-year-old woman with prolonged therapeutic fasting who presented with ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and deep coma. MRI showed unusual symmetric cortical abnormalities in the frontal and parietal lobes, as well as typical lesions surrounding the third ventricle and aqueduct. Although the patient entered a vegetative state, she finally regained consciousness after thiamine supplementation unexpectedly. To the best of our knowledge, it has never been reported to date that the patient with WE in a vegetative state with cortical damage shows a marvelous prognosis, which prompts us to report this case. In the present report, we highlight the role of MRI in the diagnosis of acute WE.     

Wernicke's encephalopathy in patients on peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis

Although the occurrence of Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) in patients on dialysis is frequently alluded to, review of the literature reveals only 3 described cases. We describe 5 patients on dialysis who developed WE in the absence of alcoholism or other predisposing factors. The clinical diagnoses included uremic encephalopathy (2 patients), dysequilibrium syndrome (1), dialysis dementia (1), and brainstem hemorrhage (1). At postmortem examination, classic findings of WE were evident. The rarity of WE in patients on dialysis may in part be explained by studies indicating a genetic defect in transketolase activity. Patients on dialysis are also potentially at risk for thiamine deficiency because of anorexia, vomiting, and intravenous alimentation. Other factors altering thiamine requirements, such as glucose load or infections, may also contribute. Preventable and potentially curable, WE should be suspected in all patients on dialysis who have an unexplained neurological picture.     

非酒精性Wernicke脑病二例

目的探讨Wernicke脑病患者的临床和影像学特点。方法分析2例非酒精性Wernicke脑病患者的临床资料。结果 2例患者均为消化道晚期肿瘤行手术治疗、术后有营养不均衡、发病前有葡萄糖注射液补液史。2例患者均有意识障碍和典型的头颅MRI信号改变,即双侧丘脑内侧、中脑顶盖及导水管周围的高T_2信号;维生素B_1补充治疗后患者的症状有不同程度的好转。结论导致维生素B_1缺乏的高危因素、临床表现及典型的头颅MRI表现是临床上Wernicke脑病早期诊断的重要线索。早期足量维生素B_1治疗效果好。高危患者应注意预防Wernicke脑病的发生。     

Treatment of Wernicke’s encephalopathy with high dose of thiamine in a patient with pyloric sub-stenosis: description of a case

Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is an acute or subacute syndrome that results from a deficiency in vitamin B1 (thiamine). The syndrome is characterised by a classical triad of symptoms: nystagmus and ophthalmoplegia, mental-status changes, and unsteadiness of stance and gait. When patients with WE are inappropriately treated with low doses of thiamine, mortality rates average out at 20% and Korsakoff’s Psychosis develops in about 85% of survivors (Sechi and Serra in Lancet Neurol 6(5):442–455, 2007). We report the case of a patient with a pyloric sub-stenosis that developed a WE, and was treated with high doses of thiamine showing after few days of treatment a great improvement of neurological and neuroradiological assessment, even though cognitive impairment was still severe at discharge and at 6 months follow-up.     

Early diagnosis of pediatric Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Wernicke's encephalopathy may be fatal if untreated. Because Wernicke's encephalopathy is suspected to be underdiagnosed in children, the authors wished to assess the frequency of overlooked diagnosis and to establish pertinent findings that could lead to early identification of pediatric Wernicke's encephalopathy. The authors performed multiple literature searches seeking pediatric patients with Wernicke's encephalopathy (age = 20 years or younger). A total of 30 patients was found, and the authors added a new patient. Each case report had its clinical, radiologic, and laboratory data, diagnostic method, and outcome analyzed. Of 31 patients, 16 were female and 15 male; the median age +/- S.D. was 11 +/- 6.5 years. The most frequent underlying disorder was malignancy in 11. Thirteen patients died undiagnosed, 16 recovered with thiamine therapy (eight with sequelae), and two died of infection soon after thiamine replacement was initiated. Only six presented with the Wernicke's encephalopathy clinical triad (mental status changes, ocular signs, and ataxia) at neurologic onset; nine eventually demonstrated this triad. The high rate of patients diagnosed only at postmortem examination (41.9%) confirms that Wernicke's encephalopathy is underdiagnosed in children. Thiamine therapy is warranted if any component of the Wernicke's encephalopathy triad is present in an appropriate clinical setting.     

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging findings at early stage of acute Wernicke encephalopathy]

We describe a patient with acute Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) in whom diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) were helpful for early diagnosis. A 66-year-old alcoholic man was admitted to our department because of recurrent mild drowsiness. Thiamine concentrations in blood were at the lower limit of normal. DWI demonstrated an abnormal signal intensity in the dorsal part of the midbrain, and high-dose thiamine therapy was started. These lesions disappeared on DWI after one month of follow-up, in association with clinical improvement. These findings suggest that DWI is useful for detecting WE at the early stage when high-dose thiamine treatment can improve the prognosis of WE.     

Atypical Wernicke's encephalopathy showing lesions in the cranial nerve nuclei and cerebellum.

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a severe neurological disorder caused by a dietary deficiency of Vitamin B1 and characterized by consciousness changes, ocular abnormalities, and ataxia. Wernicke's encephalopathy is considered a medical emergency and treatment consists of intravenous thiamine administration. Typically in alcoholic and nonalcoholic patients magnetic resonance shows alterations in the mamillary bodies, medial thalami, tectal plate, and periaqueductal regions. We report here on a nonalcoholic atypical case of WE which presented with reversible symmetrical lesions in the cranial nerves nuclei and in the cerebellum alongside the classic neuroradiological findings.     

非酒精性韦尼克脑病的临床与MRI影像特征

目的非酒精性韦尼克脑病(Wernicke encehalopathy,WE)易误诊,本文旨在提高对该病的认识。方法回顾性分析6例非酒精性WE患者临床及MRI特征。结果 6例患者均出现不同程度的意识障碍,其中仅2例表现为经典的三联征。6例患者均出现双侧对称性丘脑内侧、脑室及导水管周围、中脑顶盖异常信号典型表现,同时2例深昏迷患者分别表现出弥漫性皮层及面神经核受累。随访患者平均恢复时间为7.5个月,而MRI则为2.8个月。2例深昏迷患者预后较差,1例患者死亡,另1例2年后仍遗留严重四肢痉挛性瘫痪,并伴智能低下。2例深昏迷患者DWI上表现为广泛高信号。结论 MRI可为非酒精性WE提供早期诊断,而病变累及广泛皮层及颅神经核可能提示较差的预后,同时DWI序列可能有一定的预后作用。     

韦尼克脑病16例临床分析

目的探讨韦尼克脑病(Wernicke’s encephalopathy,WE)的病因、发病机制、临床表现及治疗。方法回顾性分析我院2002~2009年16例WE患者的临床资料。结果 WE病因复杂,饮酒为其最常见的病因。主要临床表现包括行走不稳、眼征、精神神志障碍三联征,但典型的WE三联征很少同时出现,往往以其中一种或两种表现为主。头部MRI大多为腔隙性脑梗死、脑萎缩等非特异性表现,丘脑、下丘脑、乳头体及脑室周围等部位对称性长T1、长T2信号的特征性表现并不多见。绝大多数患者经大剂量补充Vit-B1后疗效显著。结论 WE病因及临床表现复杂多样,早期诊断困难,头部MRI可作为WE重要的辅助检查。及时补充大剂量Vit-B1预后良好。     

Hypothermia, Wernicke encephalopathy and multiple sclerosis

Neurological exacerbation observed in MS patients is usually related to a demyelinating process. We report two patients where hypothermia (32.4 degrees C and 32.5 degrees C) and neurological exacerbation were probably due to a Wernicke encephalopathy (WE). The clinical features and the rapid efficiency of parenteral thiamine were suggestive of WE. Hypothermia is an exceptional symptom observed in MS and has been considered as resulting from hypothalamic demyelination; these two cases showed that WE which is another cause of reversible hypothermia, can be associated with MS.     

35例韦尼克脑病临床分析

目的探讨韦尼克脑病(Wernicke’s encephalopathy,WE)的病因、临床表现、磁共振特征、误诊原因和治疗转归。方法回顾性分析我院2012年10月~2015年6月收治的35例WE患者的临床资料。结果饮酒是WE最常见原因,其次是胃、胆囊、胰腺病变导致呕吐和进食差。具有典型的精神意识障碍、眼肌麻痹、共济失调三联征者占11.4%,具备三联征中两项者占42.9%,仅有三联征中一项者占45.7%。头部MRI可见双侧丘脑、侧脑室周围、导水管周围、第三脑室、四脑室旁、乳头体、皮质、胼胝体等部位对称性异常信号。本组患者的误诊率达60%,其中酒精中毒性WE误诊率为54.17%,非酒精中毒性WE误诊率为72.73%。住院期间91.42%患者(32/35)好转,8.58%患者无好转。出院5 m时9例失访,随访的26例中6例死亡(死亡率23.07%),13例痊愈(50%),5例遗留记忆力障碍,2例完全卧床。结论 WE病因及临床表现多样,MRI有特征性改变,但早期误诊率高,预后与是否诊断和治疗及时密切相关。     

Wernicke encephalopathy after gastrointestinal surgery for cancer: causes of diagnostic failure or delay

Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a neurological emergency due to thiamine deficiency. We aimed to identify clinical course and causes of diagnostic delay or failure of WE in a group of patients who underwent surgery for gastrointestinal tumors. A retrospective review of clinical, laboratory, neuroimaging, and therapeutic features of 10 patients with WE following abdominal surgery for cancer was carried out. Four patients died; in these subjects, diagnosis was delayed and supplementation of vitamin was absent or likely inadequate. Diagnostic delay or failure was also related to the coexistence of several medical complications at presentation masking typical symptoms of WE. In the surviving patients, outcome was influenced by promptness and type of therapy. Postoperative abdominal bleeding and number of subsequent operations may also had an effect. Postsurgical patients with gastrointestinal tumors may develop a subtle WE. The number of subsequent operations and the severity of postoperative complications may increase the risk of unrecognized WE. The disease should be suspected in postsurgical patients who have unexpected mental status changes, even under prophylactic treatment with vitamins. We suggest that prophylaxis with high doses of thiamine should be undertaken in patients with gastrointestinal tumors before surgery.     

Clinical and pathological features of alcohol-related brain damage

One of the sequelae of chronic alcohol abuse is malnutrition. Importantly, a deficiency in thiamine (vitamin B(1)) can result in the acute, potentially reversible neurological disorder Wernicke encephalopathy (WE). When WE is recognized, thiamine treatment can elicit a rapid clinical recovery. If WE is left untreated, however, patients can develop Korsakoff syndrome (KS), a severe neurological disorder characterized by anterograde amnesia. Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) describes the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on human brain structure and function in the absence of more discrete and well-characterized neurological concomitants of alcoholism such as WE and KS. Through knowledge of both the well-described changes in brain structure and function that are evident in alcohol-related disorders such as WE and KS and the clinical outcomes associated with these changes, researchers have begun to gain a better understanding of ARBD. This Review examines ARBD from the perspective of WE and KS, exploring the clinical presentations, postmortem brain pathology, in vivo MRI findings and potential molecular mechanisms associated with these conditions. An awareness of the consequences of chronic alcohol consumption on human behavior and brain structure can enable clinicians to improve detection and treatment of ARBD.     

EFNS guidelines for diagnosis,therapy and prevention of Wernicke encephalopathy

Background: Although Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a preventable and treatable disease it still often remains undiagnosed during life. Objectives: To create practical guidelines for diagnosis, management and prevention of the disease. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane Library. Conclusions and recommendations:

• 1 The clinical diagnosis of WE should take into account the different presentations of clinical signs between alcoholics and non alcoholics (Recommendation Level C); although prevalence is higher in alcoholics, WE should be suspected in all clinical conditions which could lead to thiamine deficiency (good practice point – GPP).
• 2 The clinical diagnosis of WE in alcoholics requires two of the following four signs; (i) dietary deficiencies (ii) eye signs, (iii) cerebellar dysfunction, and (iv) either an altered mental state or mild memory impairment (Level B).
• 3 Total thiamine in blood sample should be measured immediately before its administration (GPP).
• 4 MRI should be used to support the diagnosis of acute WE both in alcoholics and non alcoholics (Level B).
• 5 Thiamine is indicated for the treatment of suspected or manifest WE. It should be given, before any carbohydrate, 200 mg thrice daily, preferably intravenously (Level C).
• 6 The overall safety of thiamine is very good (Level B).
• 7 After bariatric surgery we recommend follow‐up of thiamine status for at least 6 months (Level B) and parenteral thiamine supplementation (GPP).
• 8 Parenteral thiamine should be given to all at‐risk subjects admitted to the Emergency Room (GPP).
• 9 Patients dying from symptoms suggesting WE should have an autopsy (GPP).

     

Magnesium deficiency: a possible cause of thiamine refractoriness in Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy

The determination of blood transketolase before and serially after thiamine administration, and the response of clinical symptomatology after thiamine are reported in two normomagnesaemic patients and one hypomagnesaemic patient with acute Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy. The response of the depressed blood transketolase and the clinical symptoms was retarded in the hypomagnesaemic patient. Correction of hypomagnesaemia was accompanied by the recovery of blood transketolase activity and total clearing of the ophthalmoplegia in this patient, suggesting that hypomagnesaemia may be a cause of the occasional thiamine refractoriness of these patients.     

A suspected case of alcoholic pellagra encephalopathy with marked response to niacin showing myoclonus and ataxia as chief complaints]

We report a 47-year-old alcoholic man with alcoholic pellagra encephalopathy (APE) showing myoclonus and ataxia as chief complaints. He had been a heavy drinker for 30 years. He had noticed appetite loss and subsequently showed a subacutely progressive gait disturbance. He had no history of diarrhea, dementia, or dermatitis. On admission, he showed severe alcoholic liver cirrhosis with a large amount of ascites, limbs and truncal ataxia, myoclonus of the limbs and areflexia, although his consciousness was alert and there were no sign of dermatitis. Though the plasma level of ammonia was normal, we started administration of amino acids suspecting hepatic encephalopathy. Symptoms showed no improvement, and subsequent administration of thiamine was also ineffective. A decreased serum level of niacin was demonstrated. After administration of nicotinamide, the symptoms improved gradually. This patient received a diagnosis of APE. Endemic pellagra, characterized by the classical triad of dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia, is known to be caused by a dietary deficiency of the niacin, and has now become very rare in developed countries. At present, pellagra is encountered most often in patients with chronic alcoholism, which is called APE. APE patients often show only disturbance of consciousness. Although several reports has described ataxia and myoclonus in patients with APE, APE patients with myoclonus and ataxia as chief complaints have not previously been reported. On autopsy cases, central chromatolysis of neurons in the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum, gracile and cuneate nuclei, and the Clarke's column has been demonstrated. The APE patients would show myoclonus and ataxia as their first symptoms. In conclusion, we would like to emphasize that administration of niacin should be started for the treatment of chronic alcoholic patients showing myoclonus and ataxia even without the classical triads found in endemic pellagra patients.