Diffusion weighted MR imaging of acute Wernicke's encephalopathy

Tae-Ick Chung; Joong-Seok Kim; Soung-Kyeong Park; Beum-Saeng Kim; Kook-Jin Ahn; Dong-Won Yang

doi:10.1016/s0720-048x(02)00009-8

Diffusion weighted MR imaging of acute Wernicke's encephalopathy

Eur J Radiol. 2003 Mar;45(3):256-8. doi: 10.1016/s0720-048x(02)00009-8.

Authors

Tae-Ick Chung¹, Joong-Seok Kim, Soung-Kyeong Park, Beum-Saeng Kim, Kook-Jin Ahn, Dong-Won Yang

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Youido St Mary's Hospital, #62 Youido-dong, Youngdungpo-gu, Seoul 150-071, South Korea.

PMID: 12595110
DOI: 10.1016/s0720-048x(02)00009-8

Abstract

We report a case of Wernicke's encephalopathy in which diffusion-weighted MR images demonstrated symmetrical hyperintense lesions in the paraventricular area of the third ventricles and medial thalami. Apparent diffusion coefficient mapping showed isointensity in the aforementioned areas. Diffusion-weighted MR images may provide evidence of vasogenic edema associated with thiamine deficiency, proven in the histopathology of experimental animals. In addition, diffusion-weighted MRI has many advantages over T2 or FLARE-weighted brain MRI in detecting structural and functional abnormalities in Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Acute Disease
Adult
Brain / pathology*
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Female
Humans
Hyperemesis Gravidarum / complications
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications / diagnosis*
Wernicke Encephalopathy / diagnosis*
Wernicke Encephalopathy / etiology