Wernicke's Encephalopathy in a Rectal Cancer Patient with Atypical Radiological Features: A Case Report

Overview

Journal World J Clin Cases

Publisher Baishideng Publishing Group

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2021 Oct 7

PMID 34616832

Citations 1

Authors

Tian Nie

Jian-Li He

Affiliations

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Abstract

Background: Wernicke's encephalopathy is a disease caused by thiamine deficiency. The lesions usually involve the periphery of the aqueduct, midbrain, tectum, third ventricle, papillary body, and thalamus. It is very rare to affect the vermis and cerebellar hemispheres.

Case Summary: We report a 77-year-old female patient admitted to the emergency department of our hospital for 2 d of unconsciousness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed increased diffusion weighted imaging signals in the bilateral thalamus, periventricular regions of the third ventricle, corpora quadrigemina, vermis, and cerebellar hemispheres. Wernicke's encephalopathy was considered. She was given thiamine therapy and became conscious after the treatment.

Conclusion: Wernicke's encephalopathy may have various imaging manifestations. Clinicians should keep in mind that Wernicke's encephalopathy may occur in patients who experience prolonged periods of malnutrition.

Citing Articles

Treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and prevention of non-alcoholic Wernicke's disease: A case report and review of literature.

Ma Y, He X, Gao Y, Ma T, Cheng G, Yue C World J Clin Cases. 2024; 12(24):5628-5635.

PMID: 39188614 PMC: 11269984. DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i24.5628.

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