Clinical analysis of Wernicke encephalopathy after liver transplantation

Wernicke encephalopathy in a patient with drug-induced liver failure: a case report

Introduction

Wernicke encephalopathy is a metabolic disease mainly associated with vitamin B1 deficiency, which is common in chronic alcoholism. Non-alcoholic Wernicke encephalopathy is difficult for early diagnosis.

Case presentation

One case involved a 62-year-old man who was admitted to hospital with drug-induced liver failure. He presented lower extremity weakness and progressive worsening of consciousness disturbance post-admission and was eventually identified as Wernicke encephalopathy by magnetic resonance imaging scan and deficiency in vitamin B1. The classic symmetric hyperintense signals on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images were reversible after intravenous vitamin B1 supplementation.

Conclusion

A high index of clinical suspicion is required for early diagnosis and appropriate preventive and therapeutic strategies by adequate and immediate vitamin B1 supplements in the reversible stage of Wernicke encephalopathy.

Typical and atypical MRI abnormalities in Wernicke's encephalopathy: Correlation with blood vitamin B1 levels

PURPOSE

Clinical features of Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) confirmed strictly through the low blood vitamin B1 (VB1) levels are limited. This study aimed to analyse magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and clinical characteristics, in patients with WE who have confirmed low blood VB1 levels.

METHODS

Clinical and laboratory records of 12 consecutive patients with WE admitted to our hospital during the past 11 years were reviewed. The WE diagnosis was confirmed based on low blood VB1 levels and the presence of at least one of the classical triad.

RESULTS

Ophthalmoplegia and nystagmus were recorded in 75% and 50% of the patients, respectively. Eleven of 12 patients presented with consciousness disturbance/memory loss. All patients experienced gait disturbances. Eight of the 12 patients exhibited MRI abnormalities at typical sites (the dorsal midbrain [n = 7], medial thalamus [n = 6], mammillary bodies [n = 5], and dorsal pons [n = 5]). Of the 12 patients, six showed abnormalities at atypical sites (the splenium of the corpus callosum [n = 4], fornix [n = 3], cerebral cortex [n = 2], cerebellar vermis [n = 2], and dorsal medulla [n = 1]). Patients with positive MRI abnormalities had significantly lower blood VB1 levels than those without abnormalities (9.5 vs. 16.0 ng/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

In cases of confirmed WE with low blood VB1 levels, the corpus callosum, fornix, and cerebral cortex were more frequently involved than in previous studies. MRI abnormalities at both typical and atypical sites were correlated with low blood VB1 levels in WE, suggesting that lower blood VB1 levels are associated with more severe brain damage in patients with WE.

Clinical Impact and Risk Factors of Seizure After Liver Transplantation: A Nested Case-Control Study

Seizures are a frequent neurological consequence following liver transplantation (LT), however, research on their clinical impact and risk factors is lacking. Using a nested case-control design, patients diagnosed with seizures (seizure group) within 1-year post-transplantation were matched to controls who had not experienced seizures until the corresponding time points at a 1:5 ratio to perform survival and risk factor analyses. Seizures developed in 61 of 1,243 patients (4.9%) at median of 11 days after LT. Five-year graft survival was significantly lower in the seizure group than in the controls (50.6% vs. 78.2%, respectively, p < 0.001) and seizure was a significant risk factor for graft loss after adjusting for variables (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.24-3.33). In multivariable logistic regression, body mass index <23 kg/m2, donor age ≥45 years, intraoperative continuous renal replacement therapy and delta sodium level ≥4 mmol/L emerged as independent risk factors for post-LT seizure. Delta sodium level ≥4 mmol/L was associated with seizures, regardless of the severity of preoperative hyponatremia. Identifying and controlling those risk factors are required to prevent post-LT seizures which could result in worse graft outcome.