Choi YJ, Park SJ, Kim JS, Kang EJ, Choi CW, Kim BS. Wernicke's encephalopathy following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY 2010;
45:279-81. [PMID:
21253432 PMCID:
PMC3023056 DOI:
10.5045/kjh.2010.45.4.279]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2010] [Revised: 10/20/2010] [Accepted: 11/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Wernicke's encephalopathy is caused by thiamine deficiency, and is characterized by acute mental confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia. It is also a rare neurologic complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, because of its rare incidence, Wernicke's encephalopathy can easily be overlooked in HSCT patients, and a few misleading steps in the early stage of the disease may result in permanent neurologic disability or even mortality. We recently encountered a case of Wernicke's encephalopathy in a patient who underwent allogeneic HSCT. Based on our own experience and previously published documents, we suggest early radiologic surveillance and treatment for patients with findings compatible with Wernicke's encephalopathy following HSCT.
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