wernicke's encephalopathy

Question 1

what is wernicke’s encephalopathy

Answer 1

neuropsychiatric disorder caused by thiamine deficiency
most commonly seen in alcoholics, sometimes seen in persistent vomiting, anorexia, stomach cancer, dietary deficiency

Question 2

classic triad in wernicke’s encephalopathy

Answer 2

ophthalmoplegia/nystagmus
ataxia
encephalopathy (confusion)

Question 3

features of wernicke’s encephalopathy

Answer 3

oculomotor dysfunction (nystagmus or opthalmoplegia- palsy)
gait ataxia
encephalopathy: confusion, disorientation, indifference
peripheral sensory neuropathy

Question 4

investigations for wernicke’s encephalopathy

Answer 4

decreased red cell transketolase
MRI

Question 5

treatment of wernicke’s encephalopathy

Answer 5

urgent replacement of thiamine
- IV vitamin B substances with ascorbic acid (pabrinex)

Question 6

what happens if wernicke’s not treated

Answer 6

korsakoff’s syndrome may develop
- addition of antero- and retrograde amnesia and confabulation