An unusual case of Wernicke’s encephalopathy - Thiamin deficiency in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is a neurological syndrome most commonly found in patients suffering from alcohol abuse. It is less frequently diagnosed in non-alcoholic patients. In non-alcoholic patients WE might develop due to the exclusion of upper portions of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. after gastrectomy, gastrojejunostomy, gastric bypass surgery) or secondary to intractable vomiting, inadequate dietary intake or malabsorption.^1,2 Other described conditions in which WE may develop include HIV/AIDS, several types of malignancy (inoperable gastric cancer, leukaemia and lymphoma), prolonged periods of malnutrition (anorexia), hyperemesis gravidarum, thyroid conditions, post organ transplant as well as patients receiving dialysis and long-term dependency on parenteral nutrition (PN).^1-3,4