You are what you eat.
Wernicke encephalopathy consists of a triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and altered mental status. It is caused by thiamine deficiency and although it is commonly seen in alcoholics, patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity could be a new group of patients to watch for. Florid papilloedema and optic neuropathy are not commonly seen but are still consistent with the diagnosis of Wernicke encephalopathy. The most striking feature remains the dramatic recovery after replacement of thiamine.
Kulkarni
Sonalee
S
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1091, USA.
Lee
Andrew G
AG
Holstein
Sarah A
SA
Warner
Judith E A
JE
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D010211:Papilledema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013831:Thiamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields; D014899:Wernicke Encephalopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D013831:Thiamine