Wernicke’s Encephalopathy in the Setting of Severe Malnutrition and Alcohol Abuse

Authors

  • Lyndie Wilkins Parker DO Department of Internal Medicine, Mountain Vista Medical Center/Midwestern University, Mesa, AZ, USA Author
  • Nathan Duffin DO Department of Internal Medicine, Mountain Vista Medical Center/Midwestern University, Mesa, AZ, USA Author
  • Yamine Saddouk MD DO Department of Internal Medicine, Program Director, Mountain Vista Medial Center/Midwestern University, Mesa, AZ, USA Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JGHR/2022(3)134

Keywords:

Encephalopathy, Alcohol Abuse, Malnutrition

Abstract

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is an acute, potentially fatal syndrome attributable to thiamine deficiency. Prompt identification and treatment is essential to prevent the development of Korsakoff syndrome, an irreversible memory disorder associated with both retrograde and anterograde amnesia. Here, we present a case of a 39-year-old woman admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of alcohol withdrawal and severe malnutrition. On admission, the patient was noted to have horizontal nystagmus and underwent aggressive thiamine repletion resulting in resolution of her symptoms. 

Author Biographies

  • Lyndie Wilkins Parker DO, Department of Internal Medicine, Mountain Vista Medical Center/Midwestern University, Mesa, AZ, USA


    Department of Internal Medicine, Mountain Vista Medical Center/Midwestern University, Mesa, AZ, USA

  • Nathan Duffin DO, Department of Internal Medicine, Mountain Vista Medical Center/Midwestern University, Mesa, AZ, USA


    Department of Internal Medicine, Mountain Vista Medical Center/Midwestern University, Mesa, AZ, USA

  • Yamine Saddouk MD DO, Department of Internal Medicine, Program Director, Mountain Vista Medial Center/Midwestern University, Mesa, AZ, USA


    Department of Internal Medicine, Program Director, Mountain Vista Medial Center/Midwestern University, Mesa, AZ, USA

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Published

2022-04-04

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2022): volume 3 Issue 2

Section

Articles