Wernicke encephalopathy of non-alcoholic genesis


DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/therapy.2024.5.122-128

Ostapchuk E.S., Chikviladze S.S.

1) Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1, Tyumen; 2) Tyumen State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia
Abstract. Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a difficult to recognize, urgent, but potentially curable by high doses of thiamine pathology. In the absence of specific treatment or with a late starting of it, the disease is associated with the development of severe cognitive impairments (Wernicke – Korsakoff syndrome) or death. Although WE most often develops in patients with alcoholism, many cases of it have a non-alcoholic origin. The article describes a clinical case of WE in a 37-year-old patient who denies alcohol consumption, but has a history of dietary restrictions with severe weight loss. Differential diagnosis was carried out with demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Presented clinical case demonstrates the difficulties of WE diagnosing in patients without a clear alcohol history.
Keywords: impaired consciousness, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, thiamine deficiency, Wernicke encephalopathy, cognitive impairment
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About the Autors

Ekaterina S. Ostapchuk, MD, PhD (Medicine), head of the Department of neurology, Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 (Tyumen), associate professor of the Department of neurology with a course in neurosurgery of the Institute of clinical medicine, Tyumen State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia. Address: 625023, Tyumen, 55 Kotovskogo St.
E-mail: ostapchukes2008@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1176-4113. SPIN code: 6877-6140
Sona S. Chikviladze, MD, neurologist at Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 (Tyumen). Address: 625023, Tyumen, 55 Kotovskogo St.
E-mail: gvozdikaao@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7328-0080


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