Wernicke Encephalopathy: Late-Stage Symptoms

 Aleksandra Lučić Prokin^1,2, Vladimir Galić^1,2, Timea Kokai Zekić¹, Vedran Žigić³

 

¹University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Department of Neurology, Novi Sad, Serbia
²University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia
³University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Center for Radiology, Novi Sad, Serbia

SUMMARY

 

Introduction. Wernicke encephalopathy is a rare acute/subacute neurological disorder, commonly caused by prolonged thiamine deficiency in patients who chronically consume alcohol. According to the Caine classification criteria, the clinical diagnosis of this encephalopathy involves at least two of the following four signs: nutritional deficiency, oculomotor dysfunction, ataxia, and changes in the mental status. This case report highlights rare clinical signs in the late stage of the disease, as well as the consequences of possible local hypoperfusion of the brainstem in the form of an ischemic vascular event.
Case report. A 39-year-old female patient (previously treated at a regional general hospital) was admitted to the Department of Emergency Neurology at the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina with a history of a series of epileptic seizures, altered consciousness, oculomotor signs, opisthotonus, and cognitive dysfunction, following years of alcohol consumption and nutritional deficiency. The diagnosis was confirmed by typical neuroimaging findings and specific laboratory tests. Hypertonia with subsequent opisthotonus was one of the clinical manifestations in our patient, while the occurrence of an ischemic stroke was an unexpected event. Empirical administration of high-dose thiamine, along with additional supportive intensive therapy, did not yield satisfactory outcomes.
Conclusion. Wernicke encephalopathy represents a clinical diagnosis based on physical and neurological examination, with neuroimaging. Early recognition of both common and unusual symptoms, particularly in the late stage of the disease, could potentially reduce morbidity and mortality. It is essential to administer thiamine before glucose infusion to all patients with an undetermined cause of altered consciousness.

 Keywords: thiamine, Wernicke encephalopathy, alcoholism, opisthotonus, stroke

 

Corresponding author:
Aleksandra Lučić Prokin
e-mail: aleksandra.lucic-prokin@mf.uns.ac.rs