Wernicke encephalopathy

Last revised by Ammar Haouimi on 15 Dec 2023

Wernicke encephalopathy, also known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, or alcoholic encephalopathy, if trying to avoid eponyms, is a form of thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency and is typically seen in alcoholics.

On imaging, it is commonly seen on MRI as areas of symmetrical increased T2/FLAIR signal involving the mammillary bodies, dorsomedial thalami, tectal plate, periaqueductal area and/or around the third ventricle.

It was originally described as characterized by the triad of:

  1. acute confusion

  2. ataxia

  3. ophthalmoplegia (most commonly horizontal nystagmus and conjugate gaze palsies)

Wernicke encephalopathy can evolve into the chronic form of thiamine deficiency known as Korsakoff psychosis, characterized by:

  1. memory loss (global amnesia)

  2. confabulation

The two terms are often concatenated to form Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Thiamine deficiency results from malnutrition or malabsorption, which can occur for a number of reasons 6,7:

  • alcohol abuse (up to 90% in industrialised countries 5)

  • starvation/fasting

  • prolonged total parenteral nutrition without supplementation

  • postbariatric surgery

  • hyperemesis gravidarum

  • gastrointestinal malignancy

  • chronic dialysis

In acute stages, hemorrhage, necrosis, and edema may be present. In chronic stages, atrophic changes may be present especially involving the mamillary bodies.

Usually normal.

Treatment of acute Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is with intravenous thiamine hydrochloride, along with other vitamins/minerals, and treatment of the underlying cause (e.g. alcohol cessation). Untreated, there is high mortality of up to 20% 9.

It is named after:

  • Carl Wernicke: German neurologist and psychiatrist (1848-1905) 2

  • Sergei Korsakoff: Russian neuropsychiatrist (1854-1900) 2

General imaging differential considerations include:

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.