title: Wernicke's encephalopathy with cortical abnormalities: clinicoradiological features: report of 3 new cases and review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of Wernicke's encephalopathy with cortical abnormalities (WEc).
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated the clinical features and MRI findings in 3 cases of WEc in comparison with those of 7 previously reported cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Besides the classical triad of ocular abnormalities, ataxia and global confusion, muscular weakness of all extremities was frequently recognized (5 of 6 evaluable cases; 83%). During the clinical courses, 2 patients (20%) died and 1 fell into a vegetative state. The cortical abnormalities were distributed in the frontal and parietal lobes, especially around the bilateral central sulcus, in all cases. In 1 case, the cortical abnormality was irreversible, and the abnormal lesion, similar to that seen in laminar necrosis, persisted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bilateral frontal cortical abnormalities around the central sulcus and muscular weakness of all extremities might be the characteristic features of WEc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan. ksak666@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Keita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: Takemori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamawaki
authors.forename: Yuta
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shibamoto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D014899:Wernicke Encephalopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology