An atypical presentation of Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy mimicking a left hemispheric stroke: case report

Atypical Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy can closely mimic stroke, usually akin to a vertebro-basilar lesion. Our case is the first report we are aware of Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy feigning a left hemispheric stroke with aphasia and right hemiparesis. This has implications for the emergency medicine doctor, neurologist and the stroke specialist when considering an emergency differential diagnosis for a patient with an initial normal computed tomography scan, especially in regard to deciding acute therapy.