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Wernicke's encephalopathy: a case report and MRI findings
S Yucebilgin1, T Cirpan, C Y Sanhal
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. cemsanhal@yahoo.com
Summary
Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE), a neurological disorder from thiamine deficiency, can occur in pregnancy. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is crucial for diagnosing WE in pregnant patients with hyperemesis gravidarum.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a severe neurological condition resulting from thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency.
- While commonly linked to alcoholism, WE can also manifest in cases of hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy.
Observation:
- This report details the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) findings in a pregnant patient diagnosed with WE.
- The patient presented with symptoms consistent with hyperemesis gravidarum.
Findings:
- Specific MRI and DWI findings indicative of WE were observed in the pregnant patient.
- Diffusion weighted imaging demonstrated characteristic abnormalities associated with thiamine deficiency.
Implications:
- The findings suggest that DWI should be an integral part of the diagnostic imaging protocol for pregnant patients suspected of having Wernicke's encephalopathy.
- Early and accurate diagnosis of WE in pregnancy is critical due to its potentially fatal nature.
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