Wernicke's encephalopathy following Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a serious neurological disorder characterized by a classical triad of acute mental confusion, ataxia, and opthalmoplegia due to thiamine deficiency. It was initially described in chronic alcoholics; however, any condition resulting in poor nutritional status pl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Saudi medical journal 2015-12, Vol.36 (12), p.1493-1495
Main Author: Zafar, Azra
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities of daily living
Adult
Case Report
Diagnosis
Encephalopathy
Gastric bypass
Gastric Bypass - adverse effects
Humans
Male
Nervous system diseases
Obesity
Obesity, Morbid - surgery
Pyrimidines
Surgery
Type 2 diabetes
Wernicke Encephalopathy - etiology
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Summary:Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a serious neurological disorder characterized by a classical triad of acute mental confusion, ataxia, and opthalmoplegia due to thiamine deficiency. It was initially described in chronic alcoholics; however, any condition resulting in poor nutritional status places the patient at risk of WE. Bariatric surgery is now considered as an emergent cause of WE. The number of bariatric surgery is increasing for morbid obesity. We present a case of a 40-year-old male who presented with confusion and difficulty in maintaining the balance while walking 3 months after Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery. Diagnosis of WE was made on clinical ground and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, which showed bilateral hyperintense signals in paramedian thalami. Parenteral thiamine replacement was started, and patient showed complete recovery.
ISSN:0379-5284
1658-3175
DOI:10.15537/smj.2015.12.12643