[Diagnostic challenges of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: A case report]

Korsakoff syndrome (KS) presents an interdisciplinary challenge in diagnosis and care. The frequent lack of distinct clinical symptoms represents a diagnostic challenge and can complicate early diagnosis. This case report describes a 59-year-old patient who initially presented to internal medicine due to symptoms that appeared to be associated with pre-known cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities. The initial suspected diagnosis of osmotic demyelination syndrome (formerly known as pontine myelinolysis), which can induce a clinical state very similar to KS, could only be ruled out by MRI evidence of atrophy of the mammillary bodies, confirming the diagnosis of KS. High-dose thiamine supplementation, neurorehabilitative measures, and support by a stable social environment, led to an improvement in cognitive performance. This case highlights the need for differential diagnostic efforts regarding KS and interdisciplinary awareness beyond neurological and psychiatric disciplines.