An uncommon presentation of Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome in pregnancy: Case report

Giulia Emily Cetera, MD; Francesco D'Ambrosi, MD; Daniela Denis Di Martino, MD; Laura Landi, MD; Stefania Criscuolo, MD; Luca Caschera, MD; Nicola Cesano, MD; Manuela Wally Ossola, MD

Radiology Case Reports (Mar 2023)

An uncommon presentation of Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome in pregnancy: Case report

Giulia Emily Cetera, MD,
Francesco D'Ambrosi, MD,
Daniela Denis Di Martino, MD,
Laura Landi, MD,
Stefania Criscuolo, MD,
Luca Caschera, MD,
Nicola Cesano, MD,
Manuela Wally Ossola, MD

Affiliations

Giulia Emily Cetera, MD: Department of Woman, Child and Neonate, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, Milan 20122 , Italy
Francesco D'Ambrosi, MD: Department of Woman, Child and Neonate, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, Milan 20122 , Italy; Corresponding author.
Daniela Denis Di Martino, MD: Department of Woman, Child and Neonate, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, Milan 20122 , Italy
Laura Landi, MD: Department of Pediatric anesthesia and resuscitation, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Stefania Criscuolo, MD: Postgraduational School of Radiodiagnostic, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
Luca Caschera, MD: Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Nicola Cesano, MD: Department of Woman, Child and Neonate, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, Milan 20122 , Italy
Manuela Wally Ossola, MD: Department of Woman, Child and Neonate, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, Milan 20122 , Italy

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 18, no. 3
pp. 921 – 925

Abstract

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Wernicke's encephalopathy is an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome resulting from severe thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Symptoms occur with an acute onset and may vary according to the brain area involved. Altered consciousness is the most common clinical feature, together with ocular abnormalities and ataxia. We report the case of a pregnant women affected by pre-gestational hyperthyroidism that caused an uncommon presentation of Wernicke's encephalopathy. Symptoms differed from the classic triad and diagnosis was made possible by a thorough analysis of anamnestic factors and brain MRI. Alongside thiamine supplementation, a multidisciplinary approach which included physiokinesis and a phoniatric support was fundamental for the patient's recovery.

Published in Radiology Case Reports

ISSN: 1930-0433 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General): Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/radiology-case-reports

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