Wernicke encephalopathy with atypical magnetic resonance imaging

• Published in: The American journal of emergency medicine Vol. 30; no. 9; pp. 2086.e1 - 2086.e3
• Main Authors: Liou, Kuang-Chung, MD, MPH, Kuo, Shu-Fan, MD, Chen, Lu-An, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2012; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Ataxia; Brain - pathology; Dialysis; Eating disorders; Emergency; Emergency medical care; Emergency Service, Hospital; Gastrointestinal tract; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical diagnosis; Neuroimaging; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Parenteral nutrition; Wernicke Encephalopathy - diagnosis; Wernicke Encephalopathy - pathology
• ISSN: 0735-6757; 1532-8171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2011.12.013

Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a medical emergency caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Typical clinical manifestations are mental change, ataxia, and ocular abnormalities. Wernicke encephalopathy is an important differential diagnosis in all patients with acute mental change. However, the disorder is greatly underdiagnosed. Clinical suspicion, detailed history taking, and neurologic evaluations are important for early diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently considered the diagnostic method of choice. Typical MRI findings of WE are symmetrical involvement of medial thalamus, mammillary body, and periaqueductal gray matter. Prompt thiamine supplement is important in avoiding unfavorable outcomes. Here, we report a case of alcoholic WE with typical clinical presentation but with atypical MRI. Axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images showing symmetrical hyperintensity lesions in dentate nuclei of cerebellum, olivary bodies, and dorsal pons. Although atypical MRI findings are more common in nonalcoholic WE, it can also occur in alcoholic WE. This article is aimed to highlight the potential pitfalls in diagnosing acute mental change, the importance of clinical suspicion, and early treatment in WE.