Thiamine-deficient optic neuropathy associated with Wernicke's encephalopathy in patients with chronic diarrhea.

The deficiency of thiamine manifesting as Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) and concurrent optic neuropathy is rare. Herein, we report the case of a 29-year-old patient who suffered from bilateral sudden blindness and a disturbance of consciousness after 2 months of chronic diarrhea and minimal food intake. In addition, bilateral abducens nerve palsy with multidirectional nystagmus and no light perception in both eyes were noted.

Hypocalcemic seizure mistaken for idiopathic epilepsy in two cases of DiGeorge syndrome (chromosome 22q11 deletion syndrome).

The chromosome 22q11 deletion syndrome, which is synonymous with DiGeorge syndrome, is a congenital anomaly characterized by abnormal facies, congenital heart defects, hypoparathyroidism with hypocalcemia, and immunodeficiency. Neurological manifestations of the chromosome 22q11 deletion syndrome are variable, and include mental deficiency, speech disturbances, learning difficulties, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and epilepsy. Hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia cause recurrent seizures if patients are not properly treated.