Wernicke-Korsakov syndrome lesions in coronial necropsies

The clinical and pathological features of the Wernicke-Korsakov syndrome are described in 12 cases in which the syndrome had not been recognised before death. In a 1 year period there were 9 cases (5.3%) among 169 necropsies ordered by the coroner in unexpected or unexplained non-violent death. The characteristic brain lesions were grossly apparent in 5 cases and identified only histologically in 7 cases. The findings suggest that in cases of coma or patients found dead who might have been alcoholics, adequate postmortem examination of the brain is likely to demonstrate the lesions of the Wernicke-Korsakov syndrome in a significant number.