PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Zafar, Azra
TI  - Wernicke’s encephalopathy following Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2015.12.12643
DP  - 2015 Dec 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1493--1495
VI  - 36
IP  - 12
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/12/1493.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/12/1493.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2015 Dec 01; 36
AB  - Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is a serious neurological disorder characterized by a classical triad of acute mental confusion, ataxia, and opthalmoplegia due to thiamine deficiency. It was initially described in chronic alcoholics; however, any condition resulting in poor nutritional status places the patient at risk of WE. Bariatric surgery is now considered as an emergent cause of WE. The number of bariatric surgery is increasing for morbid obesity. We present a case of a 40-year-old male who presented with confusion and difficulty in maintaining the balance while walking 3 months after Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery. Diagnosis of WE was made on clinical ground and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, which showed bilateral hyperintense signals in paramedian thalami. Parenteral thiamine replacement was started, and patient showed complete recovery.