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Failla G, Tiralongo F, Crimi P, Lo Fermo S, Foti PV, David E, Ini C, Palermo M, Falsaperla D, Palmucci S, Basile A. Beyond the bowel: Wernicke's encephalopathy as a neurological complication of Crohn's disease: A case report. Radiol Case Rep 2024; 19:3013-3018. [PMID: 38741688 PMCID: PMC11089286 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.03.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a rare but severe neurological syndrome characterized, in its classic form, by the acute onset of ocular disturbances, ataxia, and cognitive impairment. It is caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1) and mainly affects chronic alcoholics, although it can also affect patients with pathologies that lead to malnutrition. We present a case of a 58-year-old woman, who presented with significant weight loss over the past 6 months and who came to the emergency department for episodes of repetitive vomiting and a sleepy state. The patient underwent blood chemistry tests and a brain CT scan, which revealed symmetrical and bilateral hypodensity of the medial portion of the thalamus, tectal plate, and periaqueductal gray matte, suggestive of WE. She was subsequently referred to the Department of Neurology and underwent a brain MRI, which confirmed the clinical suspicion. She also had an abdominal CT scan and ileo-colonoscopy and was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Immediately after the clinical diagnosis of WE, a replacement therapy based on intravenous thiamine at high doses was promptly set up, and the patient improved from a clinical point of view. Wernicke encephalopathy can be difficult to diagnose when it occurs in non-alcoholic patients; WE associated with IBD is a rare condition, and it can present with atypical and more subtle symptoms. Radiologists and physicians must be aware of this condition and imaging findings for rapid diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Failla
- Radiology Unit 1, Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Tiralongo
- Radiology Unit 1, Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Pina Crimi
- Neurologic Unit, AOU “Policlinico-San Marco”, Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, GF Ingrassia, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia n.78, 95100, Catania, Sicily, Italy
| | - Salvatore Lo Fermo
- Department “GF Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, Neurology Clinic, University of Catania, Operative Unit of Multiple Sclerosis, University-Hospital G. Rodolico - San Marco, Catania, Italy, Catania 9126, Italy
| | - Pietro Valerio Foti
- Radiology Unit 1, Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele David
- Radiology Unit 1, Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Corrado Ini
- Radiology Unit 1, Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Monica Palermo
- Radiology Unit 1, Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Daniele Falsaperla
- Radiology Unit 1, Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Stefano Palmucci
- UOSD I.P.T.R.A., Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University of Catania, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Basile
- Radiology Unit 1, Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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Smith H, McCoy M, Varughese K, Reinert JP. Thiamine Dosing for the Treatment of Alcohol-Induced Wernicke's Encephalopathy: A Review of the Literature. J Pharm Technol 2021; 37:107-113. [PMID: 34752552 PMCID: PMC7953072 DOI: 10.1177/8755122520962859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To determine the most appropriate thiamine replacement regimen by evaluating safety and efficacy of the drug specific to alcohol-induced Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE). Data Sources: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and ProQuest between January and August 2020 using the following keyword and Boolean search terminology: "thiamine" AND "alcohol" AND (encephalopathy OR korsakoff). Study Selection and Data Extraction: Randomized control trials; prospective, observational, and retrospective cohort analyses; and case reports and series were included in this evaluation. A confirmed diagnosis of alcohol-induced WE and treatment with parenteral or intramuscular (IM) thiamine were required for inclusion. Data Synthesis: Six publications composed of 138 patients were evaluated in this review, in which a wide variety of thiamine supplementation strategies were employed. Clinical diagnostic criteria varied significantly between publications. Doses ranged from 100 to 1500 mg intravenous thiamine and up to 300 mg IM thiamine, with no apparent difference in patient outcomes. All patients who received thiamine experienced symptom improvement, and adverse drug events were minimal. Conclusions: Despite the clinical controversy regarding the appropriate thiamine supplementation regimen, the heterogeneity of published works combined with symptom resolution across the gamut of dosing strategies makes a definitive consensus elusive. Clinicians should continue to provide parenteral or IM thiamine in doses of ≥100 mg to patients with confirmed alcohol-induced WE.
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