Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
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Definition
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a set of symptoms caused by Wernicke's Encephalopathy and Korsakoff's psychosis
Epidemiology
20% fatality rate.
Pathophysiology
The main cause is vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency, usually as a result of long-term alcohol misuse. It can be due to severe starvation or prolonged vomiting.
Risk Factors
Generally, the only real risk factor is long-term alcohol misuse.
Clinical Features
Medical Emergency - Wernicke's Encephalopathy is a medical emergency, signalled by new onset confusion, eye problems and ataxia, seen in an alcoholic.
Commonly seen symptoms, as a result of lack of thiamine are:
- Confusion
- Cerebellar dysfunction causing
- Nystagmus
- Ataxia
- Opthalmoplegia - IIIrd/VIth nerve damage
Investigations
Management
It needs treating immediately with IV thiamine!