Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a neuropsychiatric condition generally caused by acute thiamine deficiency and classically involves the triad of altered mentation, ataxia and ophthalmoplegia. It is most common among alcoholics, but several other causes have been identified, including total parenteral nutrition (TPN) use. We present eight cases of WE in patients undergoing allogeneic BMT, where thiamine deficiency was caused by a lack of vitamin supplementation during TPN administration. Clinically, WE presented as a severe refractory metabolic acidosis, preceded by 'raspberry tongue', and ophthalmologic and neurologic dysfunction. The sites most affected were the periventricular structures and the thalamus, and no mammilary bodies lesions were found.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1700892 | DOI Listing |
Palliat Support Care
January 2025
Department of Psycho-Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan.
Objectives: Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neuropsychiatric disorder caused by thiamine deficiency. The classical triad of symptoms for WE include mental status changes, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia. In contrast, more uncommon symptoms include hallucinations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Med
January 2025
Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
: Wernicke's encephalopathy can occur in oncology patients independent of alcohol use, likely resulting from poor dietary thiamine intake. High metabolic demands, such as those in acute illnesses seen in the emergency department (ED), can exacerbate thiamine deficiency. In this study, our objective was to assess the incidence of thiamine deficiency in ED oncology patients, which could lead to Wernicke's encephalopathy or other thiamine deficiency disorders if left untreated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPediatr Neurol
December 2024
University of Alabama, Birmingham, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama.
Wernicke encephalopathy is a well-described neurological complication of thiamine deficiency that is classically characterized by a triad of mental confusion, ophthalmoplegia, and gait ataxia. Although most commonly linked to alcoholism and thiamine deficiency in adults, it can present in pediatric patients. Wernicke encephalopathy presenting as dysnatremias is not well described.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Critical Care Medicine, Springfield Clinic, Springfield, USA.
A 27-year-old male patient with chronic alcohol use disorder was diagnosed with Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) after experiencing an episode of unconsciousness. MRI scans revealed lesions in the corpus callosum and adjacent white matter. Despite prompt initiation of intensive treatment with high-dose thiamine and corticosteroids, the patient only partially recovered, remaining disoriented and exhibiting persistent neurological deficits during follow-up.
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