Clinical manifestations of appendiceal pinworms in children: an institutional experience and a review of the literature

The association of Enterobius vermicularis infestation with acute appendicitis varies from 0.2–41.8% worldwide. Our purpose was to determine the significance of Enterobius-associated appendicitis by retrospective review of appendectomies performed during a 5-year period at a major childrens hospital. The Surgical Pathology database at Childrens Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, was reviewed for appendiceal specimens found to have Enterobius infestation. Corresponding patient charts were evaluated for age, gender, presenting symptoms, laboratory data, operative findings, and clinical course. Of the 1,549 appendectomies performed from January 1998 through January 2003, 21 specimens (1.4%) were found to contain Enterobius vermicularis. Fifteen of the appendectomies were performed for symptoms of acute appendicitis; the remaining six were incidental appendectomies in conjunction with other operations. The mean age was 8.9 years. Ten patients were male; 11 were female. Of the 15 symptomatic children, nine presented with fever >99.0ºF, and 11 had a WBC count >10,000. Intra-operative appearance of the appendix ranged from normal to perforation. Pathologic evaluation showed neutrophil or eosinophil infiltration in 15 of the 21 specimens. Enterobius infestation is an uncommon cause of acute appendicitis in children in the United States. It may be associated with acute appendicitis, chronic appendicitis, ruptured appendicitis, or with no significant clinical symptoms.     

Unexpected finding of laparoscopic appendectomy: appendix MALT lymphoma in children

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas comprise a group of indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), which are rare in pediatric age. The clinical presentation of MALT lymphomas varies according to the location of the lymphoma. We report on a case of MALT lymphoma involving the appendix in a 6-year-old girl. A 6-year-old girl was referred to our institution in May 2005 with a diagnosis of appendicitis. The abdominal ultrasound showed slight effusion in the pelvic fossa. The patient underwent laparoscopic appendectomy using the three-trocar technique. The appendix appeared moderately hyperaemic with slight enlargement of the two-thirds of the distal portion. The postoperative course was uneventful and the girl was discharged on day 1 without any complication. The morphological and immunohistochemical examination showed typical findings of low-grade MALT lymphoma (positivity for CD20, no immunostaing for CD5 and CD10, positivity for anti-λ light chain and low positivity for Ki-67). Further extensive examinations (abdominal MRI, gastroscopy, colonscopy and capsule endoscopy of the ileum) revealed that the lymphoma was limited to the distal two-third of the appendix (stage IA) and was not associated with any specific infection. At a recent follow-up the patients appeared to be doing well. Appendiceal MALToma is a rather uncommon pathology and, to our knowledge, there is only one report of appendiceal intussusception associated with appendiceal maltoma. According to our experience, low-grade MALToma can be managed by simple appendectomy. The histological examination should be the rule whenever an appendectomy is performed in children.     

Duplication of vermiform appendix: case report and review of the literature

A case of appendiceal duplication associated with anal atresia and rectovesical fistula is presented and the literature is reviewed.     

儿童过敏性肺炎1例并文献复习

目的 总结儿童过敏性肺炎的临床、影像学和病理学特点。方法 对病理确诊的1例9岁6个月的过敏性肺炎患儿的临床、影像学和病理学资料进行总结,并复习文献进行讨论。结果 以咳嗽4个月、气促为主要表现,无咳痰、无三凹征,肺内未闻及啰音,无杵状指趾。肺功能示混合性通气功能障碍。肺部高分辨CT表现为弥漫的细小结节影,以上肺为重,肺组织病理为细支气管炎、细支气管周围的间质淋巴细胞炎症和间质的多核巨细胞,无纤维化和结核结节,可见大量的泡沫细胞。脱离环境并予甲泼尼龙2 mg·kg-1·d-1治疗2周后,患儿咳嗽、气促症状有所减轻,肺功能有所改善,肺部CT的小结节影明显改善。糖皮质激素治疗2个月后呼吸道症状消失,肺部影像学和肺功能恢复正常。结论 过敏性肺炎为无特异的沉淀抗体的病例,主要依靠肺活检病理细支气管炎、细支气管周围间质炎症和找到非干酪的不典型肉芽肿或多核巨细胞确定诊断。亚急性过敏性肺炎用糖皮质激素治疗有效。     

Actinomycosis of the appendix in childhood

Abdominal actinomycosis (AMC) is a rare infection in children. The appendix is the most common intra-abdominal organ involved. It presents as an undifferentiated mass, forming abscesses and fistulas in the right lower quadrant. The case of a 15-year-old girl with a AMC of the appendix detected by the pathologist after routine appendectomy is discussed. Long-term antibiotic treatment and follow-up by ultrasound and laboratory controls are necessary. Accepted: 22 January 1998     

婴儿阑尾盲肠多重套叠并急性阑尾炎一例并文献复习

目的 探讨婴儿期阑尾盲肠多重套叠并急性阑尾炎的临床病理和诊治方法.方法 回顾性分析1例阑尾盲肠多重套叠并急性阑尾炎8月龄婴儿的临床资料,并通过PubMed、ProQuest、中国知网(CNKI)、万方和维普数据库中检索2016年5月前的报道并复习相关文献资料,对各类儿童阑尾套叠进行系统性综述.结果 本例阑尾盲肠多重套叠并急性阑尾炎经手术诊断,整复套叠后切除阑尾并经病理证实,术后顺利康复.共检索到215例阑尾套叠中儿童52例,阑尾盲肠套叠136例,仅3例阑尾自身套叠中有2例为儿童;检索到肠套叠并阑尾炎66例,儿童59例,其中小于1岁的患儿27例,回结型肠套叠43例,此外,检索到回肠盲肠型套叠7例和盲肠盲肠型套叠并阑尾炎1例均为成人患者,所有病例均行手术治疗而痊愈.儿童阑尾盲肠多重套叠并急性阑尾炎者未见报道.结论 婴儿阑尾盲肠多重套叠并急性阑尾炎罕见,如套叠未导致回盲瓣排空完全梗阻则无典型症状体征,诊断困难,易误、漏诊.因此,对经保守治疗不能解除肠梗阻且不能解释其原因时,只要B型超声提示“同心圆征”或“套筒征”就应果断行手术探查以明确诊断并及时治疗.     

Colorectal carcinomas in children: an institutional experience

Purpose

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a rare malignancy in children. Due to its rarity this disease is seldom suspected in children and adolescents suffering from abdominal symptoms. Therefore, diagnosis is often delayed. The aim of the present study was to raise attention to this diagnosis and to present three very special cases of CRC in children treated at our department.

Methods

Patients’ charts of all children treated at our department with colorectal carcinomas between 2000 and 2010 were analyzed.

Results

In the last 10?years three cases of CRC have been treated. The first patient was diagnosed a colon carcinoma following treatment of appendicitis, while the colon carcinoma could be resected without a recurrence. The genetic analysis demonstrated a high microsatellite instability. Subsequently, 4?years later, the patient developed an inoperable astrocytoma leading to the final diagnosis of a Turcot’s syndrome. The second patient developed a colon carcinoma as a true second malignancy 10?years following an osteosarcoma. The third patient was diagnosed primarily with multiple metastases of a carcinoma of the descending colon. All three patients died 7, 8 and 11?years, respectively, following diagnosis.

Conclusion

Albeit colon carcinomas in children are exceedingly rare, this diagnosis has to be considered in cases of unclear abdominal pain. Early recognition combined with radical surgery represents the mainstay of treatment of this disease in children.     

Celiac disease in children: A review of the literature

Celiac disease is an immune-mediated systemic disease triggered by intake of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. The prevalence of celiac disease in the general population is estimated to be 1% in the world. Its prevalence differs depending on geographical and ethnic variations. The prevalence of celiac disease has increased significantly in the last 30 years due to the increased knowledge and awareness of physicians and the widespread use of highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for celiac disease. Despite increased awareness and knowledge about celiac disease, up to 95% of celiac patients still remain undiagnosed. The presentations of celiac disease have significantly changed in the last few decades. Classical symptoms of celiac disease occur in a minority of celiac patients, while older children have either minimal or atypical symptoms. Serologic tests for celiac disease should be done in patients with unexplained chronic or intermittent diarrhea, failure to thrive, weight loss, delayed puberty, short stature, amenorrhea, iron deficiency anemia, nausea, vomiting, chronic abdominal pain, abdominal distension, chronic constipation, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and abnormal liver enzyme elevation, and in children who belong to specific groups at risk. Early diagnosis of celiac disease is very important to prevent long-term complications. Currently, the only effective treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet. In this review, we will discuss the epidemiology, clinical findings, diagnostic tests, and treatment of celiac disease in the light of the latest literature.     

Image-guided drainage of multiple intraabdominal abscesses in children with perforated appendicitis: an alternative to laparotomy

Background Appendicitis is the most common cause of an acute abdomen in children. With perforation, multiple intraperitoneal collections can be seen at presentation. In this situation, surgical treatment alone is rarely effective. Objective To determine the role of image-guided drainage in treating patients with acute appendicitis complicated by multiple intraabdominal collections. Materials and methods A retrospective review of patient charts and interventional radiology records was performed to identify all patients with acute complicated appendicitis treated by multiple image-guided drainage procedures. Data reviewed included the number of drainages and aspirations performed, drain dwell time, the clinical course and temperature profile, and the length of inpatient hospital stay and any complications experienced. Results The study population comprised 42 children with a mean age of 107.6 months. A total of 100 drainage catheters were inserted and 56 aspirations were performed. Of the 42 children, 24 were successfully treated at a single sitting, while 18 returned for further intervention. The mean drain dwell time was 8.18 days. The mean inpatient stay was 15.02 days. Treatment of the acute presentation with image-guided intervention was successful in 92.3% of children. Conclusion Successful management of acute perforated appendicitis with multiple intraabdominal abscesses can be achieved with multiple minimally invasive image-guided drainage procedures.     

儿童创伤性胸主动脉假性动脉瘤一例报道及文献复习

目的 探讨创伤导致的儿童胸腹主动脉损伤的诊疗方法,以增加大家对这种临床罕见病的认识.方法 报道1例4岁女孩的创伤性胸主动脉瘤的诊断及治疗,并通过PubMed检索Medline数据库、检索Springer Link和Google Scholar等检索平台、及Embase、Ovid、中国生物医学文献数据库(CBM)、中国知网(CNKI)、万方和维普数据库,对儿童创伤性胸腹主动脉损伤的中英文文献进行系统性的综述.结果 一共43例年龄在14岁以下的创伤性胸腹主动脉损伤的患儿纳入本研究.交通伤26例是最常见的致伤机制.7例(16.3％)患儿伤后未及时诊断或初诊时漏诊.6例患儿随访中存在不同程度的后遗症.主动脉损伤以假性动脉瘤(20例)最常见,其次为内膜剥离(7例)及主动脉夹层(7例).27例患儿行开放主动脉修复术,7例行血管内治疗,7例患儿保守治疗,2例患儿行急诊手术,并在围手术期死亡.结论 血流动力学不稳或主动脉完全破裂的患儿需要急诊手术.而主动脉内膜环形剥离患儿发生并发症的可能性较高,需要限期手术.没有明显症状的内膜部分剥离或是迟发型假性动脉瘤的患儿可以保守治疗,但需要密切观察,如果假性动脉瘤进展,则需要手术.     

Appendicitis in children less than five years old:A challenge for the general practitioner

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common indications for abdominal surgery in pediatrics with peak incidence in the second decade of life. Acute appendicitis in the first years of life is an uncommon event. The clinical presentation is often varied and the diagnosis may be overshadowed by other medical conditions.Gastroenteritis is the most common misdiagnosis, with a history of diarrhea present in 33% to 41% of patients. Pain is the most common presenting symptom in children less than 5 years old, followed by vomiting, fever, anorexia and diarrhea. The most common physical sign is focal tenderness(61% of the patients) followed by guarding(55%), diffuse tenderness(39%), rebound(32%), and mass(6%). Neonatal appendicitis is a very rare disease with high mortality; presenting symptoms are nonspecific with abdominal distension representing the main clinical presentation. The younger the patient, the earlier perforation occurs: 70% of patients less than 3 years develop a perforation within 48 h of onset of symptoms. A timely diagnosis reduces the risk of complications. We highlight the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical signs and laboratory clues of appendicitis in young children and suggest an algorithm for early diagnosis.     

Heterotopic pancreas in children: review of the literature and report of 12 cases

Heterotopic pancreas (HP) is rarely recognized during surgery. Many reports concerning this anomaly are simple case reports. We herein review our experiences with HP. We retrospectively investigated cases of HP from April 1975 to September 2006. We discussed the frequencies in the laparotomized patients, and patient’s age, gender, operative indication, location of HP, post-operative diagnosis and pathology. A total of 12 patients with HP, 3 boys and 9 girls, aged 1 day to 10 years of age were investigated. Ten patients had one pattern of HP and the remaining two had more than one. The locations of the HP were as follows: Meckel’s diverticulum, 4; stomach, 3; duodenum, 3; jejunum, 3; and ileum, 2. Only in one patient HP had caused an intussusception. The remaining 11 cases were identified incidentally during the operation. In 11 of 12 patients, HP was removed without post-operative complications. Classification of pathologies according to Heinrich is as follows: type I, 4; type II, 4; type III, 2 and unknown, 2. Patients with HP are usually asymptomatic. However, HP caused an intussusception in our series. Incidental HPs should be removed whenever identified during laparotomy.     

The role of imaging in children with suspected appendicitis: the UK perspective

The diagnosis of uncomplicated acute appendicitis is often straightforward, allowing timely appendicectomy without the need for expensive tests or imaging. Repeated clinical examination by an experienced surgeon has traditionally been the key to making the diagnosis in both straightforward and difficult cases. Nonetheless, all surgeons will remove some normal appendices. Sometimes it can be particularly difficult to make the diagnosis, especially in the child under 5 years of age, in teenage girls, in young women and in the elderly. When difficult to make, the diagnosis may be significantly delayed and since the pathology is progressive, the patient may suffer potentially avoidable complications. This paper looks at two potential roles for imaging. Firstly, can imaging, applied selectively, help make the difficult diagnosis less difficult and so reduce delays and morbidity? Secondly, could imaging all patients with suspected appendicitis reduce the number of normal appendices removed from children who seem to have all the signs and symptoms of straightforward uncomplicated acute appendicitis but who actually have presumed self-resolving non-appendiceal pathology? The answer to these questions may depend on three factors that are not entirely independent: a surgical unit’s current audited negative appendicectomy rate, population base/case mix and the expertise of the examining surgeon. Individual surgeons and some surgical units, by policy, use modern imaging techniques with quite different frequencies that may be appropriate depending on these three factors. This article argues that a careful history and repeated clinical examination is the key to making the diagnosis, with imaging, primarily ultrasonography, being used in patients with a palpable mass or in those having had 48 h of hospital observation without progress. In Europe, imaging has played a limited role in the investigation of the child with suspected appendicitis with the diagnosis relying on repeated examination by an experienced clinician. Ongoing changes in surgical training in the UK may affect the acquisition of clinical expertise that is crucial to this clinical management. High-quality surgical training and surgical audit are needed to monitor the delivery of care and to ensure that the care pathway being used is appropriate for the local resources and population.     

Lyme neuroborreliosis in children: Report of nine cases and a review of the literature

Lyme neuroborreliosis is a bacterial infection caused by the dissemination and proliferation of a Borrelia species in the central nervous system. Neuroborreliosis occurs after transmission of the pathogen from an infected tick to a human host during a tick bite. We report nine cases of pediatric neuroborreliosis collected by the National Observatory of Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis in France between 2001 and 2012. The nine children, aged 4–13 years, were identified in northern and eastern France and had the following clinical features: meningeal irritation alone or with facial palsy, or isolated facial palsy. All cases showed anti-Borrelia antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid or serum, or with a positive Borrelia PCR in the CSF. The outcome was favorable in all cases after a 2- to 3-week course of third-generation cephalosporin. On the basis of these nine pediatric cases, this study provides an update on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic strategy, and treatment of neuroborreliosis, with insight into the specific features of pediatric neuroborreliosis and the difficulties encountered in the diagnosis of this infection.     

儿童肱动脉假性动脉瘤一例并文献复习

目的:报道1例儿童肱动脉假性动脉瘤的诊疗,并回顾相关文献总结此类疾病的病因、诊治及预后。方法:回顾性分析了2019年6月1例16天新生儿的左上肢肱动脉假性动脉瘤的临床资料。本例患儿出生后6d发现逐渐增大的左肘部包块。B型超声、左上肢MRI及CTA提示左肱动脉假性动脉瘤。经局部加压包扎治疗,包块持续增大并出现表面皮肤坏死...     

Late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia in children: a literature review

This is a review of 122 articles published until December 2003 that describe 349 children with late-presenting postero-lateral congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Data regarding pre-operative diagnostic work-up were adequately reported in 177 patients with left CDH and in 41 with a right-sided defect. Chest radiography was the only diagnostic study in 92 (51.9%) children from the former group and in 17 (43.9%) from the latter group. In other patients, diagnostic work-up encompassed various combinations of two or more imaging modalities. Apart from chest radiography, contrast study of the upper gastrointestinal tract was the most frequently performed imaging modality. In 88 (25.2%) children, initial radiographic features of CDH were misinterpreted. Pneumothorax and pleural effusion were the most common initial findings. Analysis of the hernial content in this group of patients has shown that herniation of the stomach, spleen or omentum should be regarded as risk factors for misdiagnosis of left CDH, whereas for right CDH, the risk factor is the presence of liver in the chest. Late-presenting CDH may pose a significant diagnostic problem because of the great variability of radiographic appearance. Chest radiography following passage of a nasogastric tube and contrast studies of the gastrointestinal tract seem to be the most useful investigations for the diagnosis of left CDH. For patients with right CDH, owing to the high probability of liver herniation, a chest radiograph with liver scintigraphy or CT seems to be the best diagnostic option.     

儿童胸腺淋巴上皮瘤样癌1例报道并文献复习

目的加强对儿童胸腺淋巴上皮瘤样癌(LELC)的认识。方法对1例诊断为儿重胸腺LELC患儿临床资料进行回顾性分析,并结合文献报道的10例儿童LELC进行分析。结果惠儿,12岁,男,表现为夜间睡眠不宁、胸闷;外周血白细胞升高,胸部CT示右中上纵膈可见类圆形软组织密度影;手术切除大部分肿物,病理报告为胸腺LELC;化疗后临床症状消失,6个月后原位复发。近20年来文献报道胸腺LELC患儿共10例,其中男6例,女4例。起病症状为胸痛、呼吸困难者6例,肥大性骨关节病(HOA)5例,证实EBV感染6例;8例在发病1年左右死亡。结论胸腺LELC是儿童时期罕见的恶性肿瘤,常合并EBV感染,存在免疫功能紊乱,临床特点为咳嗽、胸闷、胸腔巨大占位和HOA,手术难以完整切除,恶性程度高,预后极差。     

小儿阑尾周围脓肿61例临床分析

目的总结19年来北京大学第一医院对于小儿阑尾周围脓肿的治疗经验,探讨治疗策略的变化。方法回顾性分析自1993年至2011年间,作者收治的61例阑尾周围脓肿患儿临床资料。治疗方法包括静脉输入抗生素、理疗、B超引导下脓肿穿刺及手术治疗。结果保守治疗32例,1例于4周后发生肠梗阻,1例1年后再发脓肿;B超引导下行脓肿穿刺4例,无并发症;手术25例（10例行脓肿切开引流并切除阑尾,其余行脓肿切开引流）,出现并发症（切口感染、肠梗阻、残余脓肿）11例。4例于随访期间发作急性阑尾炎,予手术切除阑尾,其中3例存在阑尾粪石。结论对于阑尾周围脓肿,应首选以静脉输入抗生素为主的保守治疗方法;对于部分脓肿较大的患儿,可在B超引导下行穿刺引流。存在阑尾粪石的患儿,应行二期阑尾切除术。     

儿童Wernicke's脑病1例并35例文献复习

目的 探讨儿童Wernicke's脑病临床特点以及诊断与治疗,提高对该病的认识.方法 总结1例以严重脓毒症为首发表现的儿童Wernicke's脑病的临床表现、诊断及治疗特点,并对国内外近10年报道的35例儿童病例进行文献复习.结果 包括本例患儿共36例,男22/36例,年龄2个月～16岁.除本例外均有基础疾病:喂养不当25/35例、长期呕吐5/35例、免疫抑制治疗4/35例、长期完全胃肠外营养(未添加维生素)3/35例以及神经性厌食1/35例;有典型临床"三联征(精神状态改变、眼部体征以及共济失调)"6/36例,其他临床表现:意识障碍24/36例、感染22/36例、神经病理征及肌张力改变18/36例、惊厥17/36例,发育迟缓4/36例、生长停滞2/36例.行脑脊液常规检测31/36例,异常7/31例(蛋白略增高);检测脑脊液乳酸水平4/36例,均增高;血清乳酸水平检测7/36例、6/7例增高;血清丙酮酸检测4/36例,均增高;硫胺索焦磷酸盐活力(TPPE)检测9/36例,均增高;血清硫胺素水平检测2/36例、1/2例降低;行颅脑CT检查20/36例,16/20例双基底节区低密度、1/20例弥漫性脑皮质萎缩;行颅脑MRI检查13/36例,均表现为双侧对称性乳头体、基底节区异常信号、7/13例还表现中脑被盖、中央导水管及Ⅲ、Ⅳ脑室周围白质区异常信号.诊断方法:在行颅脑MRI的13例中,根据MRI确立诊断12/13例、"三联征"+MRI确立3/13例、根据尸检1/13例;行TPPE和(或)乳酸测定11例中,确立诊断9/11例.初始治疗:33/36例经胃肠外补充硫胺素、1/36例给药方式不详、1/36例经口服给药、1/36例未补充;硫胺素剂量:29/35例每日100 mg、3/35例剂量不详、2/35例每日50 mg、1/35例每日600 mg.初始治疗后34/35例临床症状在24 h～1周内缓解,1/36例无反应死亡.存活34例中,19例接受随访,2～2.5个月内17/19例完全康复.结论 儿童Wernicke's脑病常无特异性临床表现,误诊率较高,颅脑MRI特征性表现为双侧乳头体、基底节区、中央导水管周围区等对称性异常信号.特征性颅脑MRI异常信号结合临床硫胺素治疗后快速反应有助于临床诊断.早期、及时补充大剂量硫胺素后,多数病例神经学异常可快速改善,预后良好.

Abstract：

Objective Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome resulting from thiamine deficiency, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The disorder is still greatly underdiagnosed in children because of either a relatively non-specific clinical presentation in some cases or unrecognized clinical setting The aim of this literature review was to provide knowledge of pediatric WE in an effort to assist in early diagnosis, thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality. Methods The clinical manifestations, characteristic magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI), diagnosis and treatment of one case and the other 35 cases reported in the last decade in children were summarized. Results Thirty-six cases (22 boys and 14 girls, 2-month to 16-year-old) were analyzed. All the other 35 cases except for our case had underlying diseases: improper feeding in 25/35 cases, long-time vomiting in 5/35 cases,immunosuppressive therapy in 4/35 cases, long-time total parenteral nutrition without multivitamin preparations supplementation in 3/35 cases and anorexia nervosa in 1/35 case. The classic triad ( mentalstatus changes, nystagmus and ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia) was seen in 6/36 cases. The other clinical manifestations included consciousness disturbance in 24/36 cases, infection in 22/36 cases, pathological reflex and muscular tension changes in 18/36 cases, convulsion in 17/36 cases, developmental delay in 4/36 cases and failure to thrive in 2/36 cases. Cerebrospinal fluid examination was performed in 31/36 cases,and a slightly raised protein concentration was seen in 7/31 cases. The cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels were detected in 4/36 cases ( all increased ), serum lactic acid levels in 7/36 cases ( 6/7 cases increased ),serum pyruvate in 4/36 cases ( all increased), thiamine pyrophosphate effect ( TPPE ) in 9/36 cases ( all increased), and serum thiamine in 2/36 cases (increased in 1/2 cases). The brain computed tomography (CT) scan was conducted in 20/36 cases and 16/20 cases showed abnormal hypodensity in bilateral basal ganglia, one case revealed diffuse cortical atrophy. The brain MR scan was conducted in 13/36 cases and all the 13 cases revealed symmetrical abnormal signal in bilateral mamillary body and basal ganglia, and 7/13 cases showed abnormal signals in the tegmentum of midbrain, cerebral aqueduct and white matter around the third and fourth ventricles. The diagnosis of WE was confirmed by MR in 12 cases, triad combined with MR in 3 cases, autopsy in 1 case among the 13 cases who underwent MR scan. The diagnosis of WE was confirmed by the TPPE and/or lactate levels in 9/11 cases. The initial thiamine was given by intravenous or intramuscular infusion in 33/36 cases, unknown method in 1 case, orally in 1 case and no thiamine was used in 1 case. The dosage of thiamine was 100 mg daily in 29/35 cases, unknown in 3/35 cases, 50 mg daily in 2/35 cases, 600 mg daily in 1/35 case. 34/35 patients' clinical symptoms improved during 24 hours to 1 week after initial treatment, and 1 case died due to no response to thiamine. Nineteen patients were followed up for 2-2. 5 months and 17 cases recovered completely. Conclusion Wernicke' s encephalopathy can be difficult to diagnose because of a relatively non-specific clinical presentation. The characteristic MRI findings and the dramatic response of neurological signs to parenteral thiamine will assist early clinical diagnosis.Early and timely thiamine supplementation could reverse the clinical features and improve the prognosis in most cases.