Open Access Case

Report DOI: 10.7759/cureus.5203

Alcohol Induced Wernicke Encephalopathy

with Atypical MRI Findings
Devansh Pandey 1 , James L. Kuhn 2 , Hilda Tejero 3 , James S. Banks 3

1. College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA 2. Internal
Medicine, Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Aventura, USA 3. Radiology, Aventura Hospital and
Medical Center, Aventura, USA

 Corresponding author: James S. Banks, [email protected]

Disclosures can be found in Additional Information at the end of the article

Abstract
Wernicke encephalopathy is a neurological complication of thiamine deficiency, usually in the
setting of poor diet, classically with alcoholism. Patients present with acute onset of
encephalopathy, oculomotor dysfunction, gait ataxia and memory impairment. If untreated,
the disorder can result in severe morbidity and possibly death; patient outcomes are entirely
dependent on prompt diagnosis and administration of parenteral thiamine. Although
diagnosed clinically, the radiologist may be able to alert the referring clinician to the possibility
of the disease when imaging features are observed, thereby improving the chance of treatment
success. Although various imaging features have been ascribed to alcohol and non-alcohol
related forms of Wernicke encephalopathy, recent literature suggests that such a distinction is
not reliable, and that the causes of Wernicke encephalopathy are not readily distinguishable on
MRI, as in the index case presented here.

Categories: Internal Medicine, Neurology, Radiology

Keywords: wernicke, wernicke-korsakoff, encephalopathy, neurology, neuroradiology, thiamine
deficiency, thiamine deficiency, mri, alcoholism

Introduction
Wernicke encephalopathy is a neurological complication of thiamine deficiency. It is usually
caused by a poor diet accompanied by alcoholism [1-3]. Acute onset of encephalopathy,
oculomotor dysfunction, and gait ataxia is the classic triad for diagnosis. However, patients
typically present with just one or two of these symptoms [1, 4]. If left untreated, the disorder
can result in severe morbidity and possibly death. Thus, patient outcomes depend entirely on
prompt diagnosis and administration of parenteral thiamine [2, 5]. A majority of cases
of Wernicke encephalopathy are diagnosed clinically. However, the radiologist may be able to
Received 04/01/2019
alert the referring clinician to the possibility of the disease when particular imaging features
Review began 04/09/2019
Review ended 07/16/2019
are observed, thereby improving clinical outcomes. Although various imaging features have
Published 07/22/2019 been ascribed to alcohol- and non-alcohol-related forms of Wernicke encephalopathy [3, 6],
recent literature suggests that such a distinction is not reliable, and that the causes of Wernicke
© Copyright 2019
Pandey et al. This is an open access
encephalopathy are not readily distinguishable on an MRI, as demonstrated by the index case
article distributed under the terms of presented here [7].
the Creative Commons Attribution
License CC-BY 3.0., which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and Case Presentation
reproduction in any medium, provided
A 45-year-old female presented after four days of nausea, vomiting, dizziness and falls. She
the original author and source are
credited. had a history of alcohol abuse and admitted to currently drinking 1-2 bottles of wine daily. She
was a poor historian, displaying impaired memory/cognition, stating that she was on vacation

How to cite this article

Pandey D, Kuhn J L, Tejero H, et al. (July 22, 2019) Alcohol Induced Wernicke Encephalopathy with
Atypical MRI Findings. Cureus 11(7): e5203. DOI 10.7759/cureus.5203
 but unable to provide details regarding when she arrived or how she would return home.

On a general physical exam, she appeared disheveled, slightly pale and malodorous. She spoke
with a slight delay and stuttered periodically. She had multiple bruises over her body in various
stages of healing. Her neurological exam was significant for ataxia and dysmetria with
intention tremor, positive Rhomberg’s test, and positive heel-to-shin test.

A CT of her brain revealed cerebellar vermian atrophy but was otherwise unremarkable (Figure
1).

FIGURE 1: Midsagital CT of the head

Midsagital CT of the head shows cerebellar atrophy, most pronounced in the vermis (arrow)

MRI of her brain demonstrated cerebellar volume loss, increased FLAIR signal in the cerebellar
vermis, normal corpus callosum and normal mammillary bodies (Figures 2-7).

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 FIGURE 2: Axial T2-weighted MRI of the head
Axial T2-weighted MRI of the head at the level of the midbrain shows prominent vermian folia and
abnormal increased signal in the superior vermis (white arrow) as well as normal size and signal
intensity of the mamillary bodies (black arrows)

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 FIGURE 3: Axial DWI of the head
Axial DWI of the head at the level of the cerebellar peduncles shows no restriction in the cerebellar
vermis (arrow)

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 FIGURE 4: Axial FLAIR MRI of the head
Axial FLAIR MRI of the head at the level of the midbrain shows abnormal increased signal in the
superior vermis and prominence of vermian folia (arrow)

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 FIGURE 5: Axial FLAIR MRI of the head
Axial FLAIR MRI of the head at the level of the 3rd ventricle shows no significantly
increased periventricular signal intensity (arrow)

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 FIGURE 6: Axial FLAIR MRI of the head
Axial FLAIR MRI of the head at the level of the thalami shows no significant increase in thalamic
signal intensity (arrows)

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 FIGURE 7: Mid-sagittal T1-weighted MRI of the head
Mid-sagittal T1-weighted MRI of the head shows cerebellar atrophy (arrow) and a normal corpus
callosum (star)

The patient’s symptoms dramatically improved following administration of IV thiamine 500

mg.

Discussion
Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a part of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, the neurological
complication of thiamine deficiency due to malnutrition from chronic alcoholism,
malabsorption, AIDS, anorexia nervosa, and hyperemesis gravidarum among other causes [1-3].
WE is an acute syndrome that necessitates emergent treatment to prevent death or progression
to Korsakoff syndrome (KS), the chronic neurologic sequelae stemming from prolonged
metabolic dysfunction [2,5]. KS is most often seen in chronic alcohol abusers, primarily
characterized by anterograde and retrograde memory deficits with preservation of long-term
memory. WE is classically described as a triad of encephalopathy, ophthalmoplegia, and gait
ataxia; however, studies involving autopsies with confirmed cases demonstrated that only 1/3
of patients present with the triad, with delirium being the most common symptom [4].
Additional symptoms include hypothermia, peripheral neuropathy, protein-calorie
malnutrition, and vestibular dysfunction (with or without hearing loss) [8]. Patients can also
present with cardiac conditions including tachycardia, exertional dyspnea, elevated cardiac

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 output and EKG abnormalities, all of which can be reversed with thiamine treatment [4].

Thiamine is an essential B vitamin, with its active form functioning as a co-factor for pyruvate
dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase [9]. Deficiencies, especially during
times of high metabolic demand and high glucose load, produce neuronal changes and
structural lesions from a combination of altered neurotransmitter levels, NMDA receptor
excitotoxicity, a breakdown of the blood brain barrier, and increased production of free radicals
[10]. WE and KS patients exhibit great variability in these structural changes, with atrophy of
mammillary bodies in 80% of cases, a highly specific feature of chronic WE and KS [1,5].

Although not required for a diagnosis of acute WE, “typical” MRI findings include hyperintense
FLAIR/T2 signal in the thalami, mammillary bodies, tectal plate, periphery of the third
ventricle, and periaqueductal area [3,6]. Approximately 50% of patients with WE exhibit
“atypical" MRI findings including FLAIR/T2 hyperintensity in the superior cerebellum, cranial
nerve nuclei, red nuclei, dentate nuclei, caudate nuclei, splenium, and cerebral cortex [6].
Historically, these “typical” findings were thought to be more associated with alcoholics while
the “atypical” findings were more associated with non-alcoholics. However, recent literature
suggests that “typical” and “atypical” findings are less closely linked to alcohol-related and
non-alcohol related WE than previously reported, as in our patient with alcohol-related WE
displaying only “atypical” MRI features [7]. Differential diagnosis in patients with MRI findings
of WE would include arterial/venous infarction (expected to show restricted diffusion), viral
encephalitis (expected to have greater areas of increased FLAIR/T2 signal; atrophy would be
unusual) and Marchiafava-Bignami Disease (expected to have callosal signal abnormality).

A diagnosis of WE is made based on the clinical presentation. A delayed or missed diagnosis

occurs more frequently in non-alcoholic patients, especially if the classic triad is absent [4,8].
To avoid such diagnostic errors, WE can be identified in patients who have two or more Caine
criteria: dietary deficiency, oculomotor abnormalities, cerebellar dysfunction, and altered
mental status/mild memory impairment [11]. When compared to the classic triad, the Caine
criteria increased sensitivity from 22% to 85% in non-alcoholic patients [11]. Currently there is
no laboratory test to specifically diagnose WE. However, a 25% increase of Erythrocyte
thiamine transketolase can help establish the diagnosis of WE, especially if levels normalize
with clinical improvement [12]. Pyruvate and lactate levels may also be elevated due to
impaired aerobic metabolism due to impaired Krebs cycle enzymatic activity [9]. Previously
mentioned MRI abnormalities, specifically T2 signal abnormalities, can disappear within 48
hours of treatment; however some of the clinical symptoms may not fully resolve [4,13].

Treatment for WE rests entirely on prompt thiamine supplementation. As IV thiamine is safe,

inexpensive, and effective, empiric treatment prior to acquiring labs is highly recommended
[14]. The prescribed regimen is 500 mg IV over 30 min, every 8 hours daily for two consecutive
days and 250 mg IV or IM daily for an additional five days in addition to other B vitamins [15].
Oral administration is discouraged because thiamine absorption in alcoholic or malnourished
patients is unreliable [16]. A clinical pearl for prevention is to ensure administration of
thiamine prior to glucose in all cases [15].

Conclusions
Wernicke encephalopathy is a serious medical condition resulting from thiamine deficiency.
Consequences of delayed treatment are dire, making prompt diagnosis and management
critical. Although the diagnosis is clinical, laboratory and MRI findings may help support a
diagnosis and can establish response to therapy. Prompt parenteral thiamine
supplementation is recommended in patients who meet the Caine criteria, prior to
administering glucose.

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 Additional Information
Disclosures
Human subjects: Consent was obtained by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest:
In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following:
Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from
any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared
that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any
organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All
authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to
have influenced the submitted work.

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