A Rare Complication Developing After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Wernicke's Encephalopathy

Abstract

Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin. Thiamine deficiency can present as a central nervous system disorder known as Wernicke's encephalopathy, which classically manifests as confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia. Wernicke's encephalopathy has rarely been reported following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Herein, we report Wernicke's encephalopathy in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia who had been receiving prolonged total parenteral nutrition after haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported from Turkey in the literature.

Keywords

• thiamine
• wernicke's encephalopathy
• hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
• total parenteral nutrition