Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Induced by Hyperemesis gravidarum, Associated with Bilateral Caudate Lesions on Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

The case of an 18-year-old woman with Wernicke’s encephalopathy induced by hyperemesis gravidarum is reported. She had severe vomiting and received antiemetic therapy and intravenous administration of glucose and low-dose insulin solution without thiamine. She developed coma, nystagmus, ataxia and polyneuropathy. CT and MR imaging showed bilateral caudate lesions as well as symmetrical periventricular lesions of the thalamus and hypothalamus and periaqueductal gray matter. Caudate lesions are quite rare in Wernicke’s encephalopathy.