Wernicke Encephalopathy - Acute B1 (Thiamine) Deficiency - Diagnosis and Management Diagnosis - Caine Criteria (2 of 4): • Changes in mental status or memory impairment • Oculomotor dysfunctions ( e.g. ophthalmoplegia and nystagmus) • Cerebellar dysfunction (e.g. gait ataxia - usually not present in upper limb) • Nutritional deficiency Why? Any risk factor for nutritional deficiency! • Chronic alcoholism • Malignancy • Hyperemesis of pregnancy • Bariatric surgery • Anorexia nervosa Treatment - Intravenous thiamine infusion: • Administration of glucose without thiamine can worsen Wernicke Encephalopathy • A prompt treatment can improve symptoms and prevent the development of Korsakoff syndrome (chronic B1 deficiency) By Dr. Gabriela Figueiredo Pucci @gabifpucci @neudrawlogy #Wernicke #Encephalopathy #B1 #Thiamine #Deficiency #Diagnosis #Management #neurology #nutrition
