RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Wernicke’s encephalopathy following Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 1493
OP 1495
DO 10.15537/smj.2015.12.12643
VO 36
IS 12
A1 Zafar, Azra
YR 2015
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/36/12/1493.abstract
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.