Uncommon bilateral optic neuropathy in Wernicke's encephalopathy complicating gravidarum hyperemesis.

Tunis Med

Ophthalmology Department, Mongi Slim University Hospital, La Marsa, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia.

Published: May 2023

AI Article Synopsis

  • - Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a serious brain disorder caused by a lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine), with key symptoms including eye movement problems, altered mental status, and lack of coordination.
  • - It is commonly seen in individuals with alcoholism or malnutrition, but its link to severe morning sickness during pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum) is often overlooked.
  • - A case of a 24-year-old pregnant woman with hyperemesis gravidarum and vision issues led to a diagnosis of WE with optic nerve involvement, and her symptoms improved significantly following thiamine treatment, highlighting the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Article Abstract

Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a rare neurological disorder that results from vitamin B1 (Thiamin) deficiency, classically characterized by the triad of ophtalmoplagia, altered consciousness, and ataxia. WE is often associated with alcoholism, malnutrition, or gastrointestinal diseases with malabsorption. The association of «gravidarum hyperemesis» and WE seems to be underestimated. We report a 24-year-old pregnant woman with hyperemesis gravidarum, who presented with decreased visual acuity of both eyes. Fundus examination showed a bilateral stage 2 papillary edema. brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral and symmetrical hyper intense lesions on T2-weighted and FLAIR sequences in periaqueductal gray matter, thalamus, and mammillary bodies, which confirmed WE complicated by bilateral optic neuropathy. Her symptoms resolved after thiamine treatment. This case raises of the possibility of optic neuropathy in WE, which is a diagnostic emergency requiring early treatment to prevent complications.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11361296PMC

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