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Wernicke encephalopathy
Author(s) -
BORRUAT FX
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2008.4224.x
Subject(s) - thiamine , medicine , ataxia , encephalopathy , nystagmus , wernicke encephalopathy , ptosis , thalamus , pediatrics , anesthesia , surgery , psychiatry , radiology
Wernicke’s encephalopathy is an acute neurological disorder caused by thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency and characterized by the clinical triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and mental confusion. Ophthalmoplegia commonly takes the form of horizontal and/or vertical gaze palsy often accompanied by bilateral abduction deficits. Upbeat nystagmus is characteristic. Mental status changes may be mild therefore unappreciated. MRI abnormalities (periaqueductal area, midbrain tegmentum, mamillary bodies and dorsomedial thalamus) can be found in up to 60% of patients who are imaged within 2 weeks of symptom onset. The condition is life‐threatening but early therapy with intraveinous or intramuscular 100mg thiamine with glucose supplementation can reverse symptoms and signs within hours.