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Wernicke's encephalopathy presenting with severe dysphagia: a case report
Mikael Truedsson1, Bodil Ohlsson, Klas Sjöberg
1Department of Medicine, Lund University, University Hospital, S-20502 Malmö, Sweden.
Alcohol and Alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire)
|May 11, 2002
Summary
A 62-year-old man experienced dysphagia before Wernicke's encephalopathy symptoms. Prompt thiamine treatment led to full recovery, highlighting an unusual presentation and effective intervention for this neurological condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Nutritional Neuroscience
Background:
- Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a serious neurological condition typically caused by thiamine deficiency.
- Classic symptoms include confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia, but presentations can vary.
- Dysphagia is not a commonly recognized initial symptom of WE.
Observation:
- A 62-year-old male patient presented with dysphagia preceding the onset of classic Wernicke's encephalopathy symptoms by four weeks.
- This initial dysphagia symptom was not immediately recognized as part of the WE spectrum.
Findings:
- Parenteral thiamine administration led to a complete resolution of all neurological symptoms, including the initial dysphagia.
- The case highlights the potential for dysphagia as an early, isolated symptom of thiamine deficiency.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider Wernicke's encephalopathy in the differential diagnosis of unexplained dysphagia, even in the absence of other classic signs.
- Early recognition and treatment of thiamine deficiency can prevent severe neurological damage and ensure full recovery.