Neuroimaging Findings in Acute Wernicke's Encephalopathy: Review of the Literature
- 1 February 2009
- journal article
- review article
- Published by American Roentgen Ray Society in American Journal of Roentgenology
- Vol. 192 (2), 501-508
- https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.07.3959
Abstract
OBJECTIVE. Wernicke's encephalopathy is an acute neurological syndrome resulting from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Early recognition is important because timely thiamine supplementation can reverse the clinical features of the disease. The aim of this article is to provide an update on the typical and atypical neuroimaging findings of the acute phase of the disease. CONCLUSION. Wernicke's encephalopathy is characterized by a quite distinct pattern of MR alterations, which include symmetrical alterations in the thalami, mamillary bodies, tectal plate, and periaqueductal area, but atypical alterations may also been seen. A thorough knowledge of the neuroimaging findings of Wernicke's encephalopathy will assist in arriving at an early diagnosis, thus reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.Keywords
This publication has 44 references indexed in Scilit:
- Wernicke's encephalopathy: 'plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose'Alcohol and Alcoholism, 2007
- Wernicke Encephalopathy: MR Findings at Clinical Presentation in Twenty-Six Alcoholic and Nonalcoholic PatientsAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology, 2007
- Early diagnosis of pediatric wernicke’s encephalopathyPediatric Neurology, 1999
- Operational criteria for the classification of chronic alcoholics: identification of Wernicke's encephalopathy.Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 1997
- Thiamine deficiency and wernicke's encephalopathy in AIDSMetabolic Brain Disease, 1991
- Wernicke's encephalopathy in non-alcoholics: An autopsy studyJournal of the Neurological Sciences, 1989
- Clinical signs in the Wernicke-Korsakoff complex: a retrospective analysis of 131 cases diagnosed at necropsy.Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 1986
- The incidence of Wernicke's encephalopathy in Australia--a neuropathological study of 131 cases.Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 1983
- Brain lesions in alcoholics: A neuropathological study with clinical correlationsJournal of the Neurological Sciences, 1982
- Wernicke's encephalopathy: a more common disease than realised. A neuropathological study of 51 cases.Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 1979