Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome in the emergency department: a case report

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is a severe, potentially irreversible neuropsychiatric illness frequently linked with alcohol use disorder and thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. The acute phase, Wernicke encephalopathy (WE), presents with confusion, ataxia, and oculomotor dysfunction. The triad of symptoms may not always be present, however, and diagnosis is therefore troublesome. In this case, a chronically alcoholic and malnourished patient came with a change in mental status, which led to the diagnosis of WE and was initiated on high-dose thiamine treatment. Prompt treatment led to quick clinical recovery. Diagnosis of WE in the emergency department and prompt treatment as a component of multidisciplinary care is paramount to avoid long-term neurological impairment.