J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.
2008 Aug;32(4):460-464.
Reversible Severe Dysphagia Presenting in Wernicke's Encephalopathy: A case report
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea. zeeahan@catholic.ac.kr
Abstract
- Wernicke's encephalopathy is a relatively underestimated disorder caused by a deficiency of thiamine and manifests with a classical triad of ocular abnormalities, ataxia, and mental-status changes. Specific laboratory tests are unavailable and the disease remains a clinical diagnosis. Among paraclinical studies, magnetic resonance imaging is currently considered the most valuable method to confirm a diagnosis of Wernicke's encephalopathy. Treatment is based on supplementation of thiamine that is administered parentally. We report a case of Wernicke's encephalopathy that was treated with thiamine and showed the characteristic clinical findings, as well as an extremely rare symptom of severe dysphagia that improved concurrently with neurological recovery. Only a few cases of dysphagia in Wernicke's encephalopathy have been reported worldwide.
- Full Text Links
-
- Actions
-
Cited
- CITED
-
- Close
- Share
-
- Similar articles
-
- Two Cases of Wernicke's Encephalopathy with Hyperemesis Gravidarum
- Wernicke's Encephalopathy Caused by Dysphagia in Down Syndrome: A case report
- Wernicke Encephalopathy in a Homeless Patient With Delusions: A Case Report
- A Case of Wernicke's Encephalopathy Associated with Hyperemesis Gravidarum
- A Case of Wernicke's Encephalopathy Presenting as Acute Bilateral Wrist Drop
