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

  • Nadia Jansen van Rensburg Groote Schuur Hospital
  • J Plaskett Groote Schuur Hospital
Keywords: Wernicke's encephalopathy, thiamin deficiency, 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

Author Biographies

Nadia Jansen van Rensburg, Groote Schuur Hospital
RD(SA) Dietitian Groote Schuur Hospital
J Plaskett, Groote Schuur Hospital
MBChB (UCT), FCS (SA) Surgeon Groote Schuur Hospital
How to Cite
Jansen van Rensburg, N., & Plaskett, J. (1). An unusual case of Wernicke’s encephalopathy - Thiamin deficiency in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 29(4), 33-37. Retrieved from http://sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/1191
Section
SASPEN Case Study