Deep Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Presenting with Korsakoff Syndrome

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Neurology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Deep cerebral venous thrombosis (DCVT) is a rare cerebrovascular disorder with varied neurological symptoms and significant morbidity.
• Early identification and intervention are critical for managing DCVT.
• Korsakoff syndrome (KS) is typically associated with thiamine deficiency but can arise from other neurological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a unique case of DCVT presenting initially with Korsakoff syndrome.
• To highlight the association between thalamic lesions in DCVT and the development of KS.
• To emphasize the importance of considering DCVT in the differential diagnosis of KS.

Main Methods:

• Case report presentation.
• Review of clinical presentation and diagnostic findings.
• Discussion of the pathophysiology linking thalamic lesions to KS.

Main Results:

• A patient presented with KS due to edematous lesions in the bilateral thalami, diagnosed as DCVT.
• This case illustrates that cerebrovascular disease, specifically DCVT affecting the thalami, can manifest as KS.
• Thalamic dysfunction secondary to DCVT was identified as the cause of KS in this patient.

Conclusions:

• DCVT should be considered in the etiological investigation of Korsakoff syndrome, particularly when thalamic abnormalities are present.
• Recognizing DCVT as a potential cause of KS can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
• This case underscores the diverse clinical presentations of DCVT and the importance of considering vascular etiologies for seemingly metabolic or nutritional disorders.