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A case report: Non-alcoholic Wernicke encephalopathy associated with polyneuropathy
Hudong Liang1, Lan Wu2, Ling-Ling Liu1
11 Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
The Journal of International Medical Research
|April 4, 2017
Summary
This case study highlights a rare instance of non-alcoholic Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) co-occurring with polyneuropathy. Prompt thiamine treatment rapidly improved neurological symptoms and nerve function, suggesting its crucial role in managing this condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Nutritional Neuroscience
Background:
- Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is typically associated with chronic alcoholism.
- Non-alcoholic causes of WE are less common but recognized, often linked to malnutrition or malabsorption.
- Polyneuropathy can be a concurrent manifestation in severe nutritional deficiencies.
Observation:
- A 24-year-old woman presented with symptoms including slow response, weakness, language disorder, and amnesia after a prison sentence and dieting.
- Brain MRI confirmed characteristic Wernicke encephalopathy lesions.
- Nerve conduction velocity tests indicated a sensory-motor axonal polyneuropathy.
Findings:
- The patient received immediate thiamine treatment.
- Neurological symptoms showed rapid improvement within days.
- Follow-up MRI revealed decreased lesion activity after one week.
- Polyneuropathy symptoms significantly improved over four months of therapy.
Implications:
- This case underscores that Wernicke encephalopathy can occur in non-alcoholic individuals and may present with polyneuropathy.
- Early diagnosis and prompt thiamine supplementation are critical for improving patient outcomes and prognosis.
- Highlights the importance of considering nutritional deficiencies in patients with unexplained neurological and neurological symptoms.