MRCP revision battle 31.1: Wernicke's Encephalopathy
MRCP revision battle 31.2: Korsakoff's Syndrome
MRCP revision battle 31.3: Multiple Sclerosis
MRCP revision battle 31.4: Menieres Disease
MRCP revision battle 31.5: CJD
MRCP revision battle 31.6: Herpes Zoster Opthalmicus
MRCP revision battle 31.7: Ramsey Hunt Syndrome
MRCP revision battle 31.1: Wernicke's Encephalopathy
Wernicke's encephalopathy is caused by thiamine (=vitamin B1) deficiency.
The classic triad associated with Wernicke's encephalopathy is:
- opthalmoplegia
- ataxia
- confusion
There may also be hypothermia and hypotension.
Thiamine deficiency may result from:
- alcoholism
- carcinoma of stomach
- anorexia
- vomiting
CT brain may show petichial haemorrhages and a low red cell transketolase blood test could prove thiamine deficiency (rarely performed)
Treatment is parenteral thiamine (pabrinex)
If untreated, 20% of patients will die and 85% will develop Korsakoffs.
Which leads us nicely into revision battle 31.2: Korsakoffs syndrome....
