Development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy long after subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: a case report

Abstract Background Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neuropsychiatric disorder resulting from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, frequently associated with chronic alcoholism and total parenteral nutrition without thiamine. However, only a few reports have focused on the relationship betwee...

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Main Authors: Chikanori Tsutsumi, Toshiya Abe, Tomohiko Shinkawa, Hideyuki Watanabe, Kazuyoshi Nishihara, Toru Nakano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Japan Surgical Society 2020-09-01
Series:Surgical Case Reports
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Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40792-020-00982-y
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author Chikanori Tsutsumi
Toshiya Abe
Tomohiko Shinkawa
Hideyuki Watanabe
Kazuyoshi Nishihara
Toru Nakano
author_facet Chikanori Tsutsumi
Toshiya Abe
Tomohiko Shinkawa
Hideyuki Watanabe
Kazuyoshi Nishihara
Toru Nakano
author_sort Chikanori Tsutsumi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neuropsychiatric disorder resulting from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, frequently associated with chronic alcoholism and total parenteral nutrition without thiamine. However, only a few reports have focused on the relationship between WE and subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (SSPPD). Case presentation A 71-year-old woman underwent SSPPD for an adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. Although there had been no evidence of recurrence, the patient was treated with antibiotics for cholangitis at 12 and 31 months, respectively, post-surgery. Thereafter, the patient presented with vomiting and disorientation 33 months after surgery. Although she was admitted and underwent closer inspection by a neurologist and a psychiatrist, the exact cause of these syndromes remained unknown. The psychiatrist measured thiamine concentration to examine the cause of disorientation. After 6 days, her level of consciousness worsened. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head showed symmetrically multiple abnormal hyperintense signals on fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery and diffusion weighted image, compatible with WE. An administration of intravenous thiamine was immediately initiated. After 8 days of the measurement of the thiamine level, the patient’s serum thiamine level was found to be 6 µg/mL (reference range, 24–66 µg/mL). Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with WE. Shortly after starting the treatment, blood thiamine value reached above normal range with significant improvement of her confusional state. However, short-term memory and ataxia remained. Conclusions Development of WE after SSPPD is uncommon. However, to prevent an after-effect, the possibility of development of WE after SSPPD should be recognized.
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spelling doaj-art-77dcc216c7e146e19a4b5ff1cb5587202025-08-20T03:56:55ZengJapan Surgical SocietySurgical Case Reports2198-77932020-09-01611510.1186/s40792-020-00982-yDevelopment of Wernicke’s encephalopathy long after subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: a case reportChikanori Tsutsumi0Toshiya Abe1Tomohiko Shinkawa2Hideyuki Watanabe3Kazuyoshi Nishihara4Toru Nakano5Department of Surgery, Kitakyushu Municipal Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Kitakyushu Municipal Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Kitakyushu Municipal Medical CenterDepartment of Radiology, Kitakyushu Municipal Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Kitakyushu Municipal Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Kitakyushu Municipal Medical CenterAbstract Background Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neuropsychiatric disorder resulting from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, frequently associated with chronic alcoholism and total parenteral nutrition without thiamine. However, only a few reports have focused on the relationship between WE and subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (SSPPD). Case presentation A 71-year-old woman underwent SSPPD for an adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. Although there had been no evidence of recurrence, the patient was treated with antibiotics for cholangitis at 12 and 31 months, respectively, post-surgery. Thereafter, the patient presented with vomiting and disorientation 33 months after surgery. Although she was admitted and underwent closer inspection by a neurologist and a psychiatrist, the exact cause of these syndromes remained unknown. The psychiatrist measured thiamine concentration to examine the cause of disorientation. After 6 days, her level of consciousness worsened. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head showed symmetrically multiple abnormal hyperintense signals on fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery and diffusion weighted image, compatible with WE. An administration of intravenous thiamine was immediately initiated. After 8 days of the measurement of the thiamine level, the patient’s serum thiamine level was found to be 6 µg/mL (reference range, 24–66 µg/mL). Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with WE. Shortly after starting the treatment, blood thiamine value reached above normal range with significant improvement of her confusional state. However, short-term memory and ataxia remained. Conclusions Development of WE after SSPPD is uncommon. However, to prevent an after-effect, the possibility of development of WE after SSPPD should be recognized.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40792-020-00982-yWernicke’s encephalopathySubtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomyThiamine
spellingShingle Chikanori Tsutsumi
Toshiya Abe
Tomohiko Shinkawa
Hideyuki Watanabe
Kazuyoshi Nishihara
Toru Nakano
Development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy long after subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: a case report
Surgical Case Reports
Wernicke’s encephalopathy
Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy
Thiamine
title Development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy long after subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: a case report
title_full Development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy long after subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: a case report
title_fullStr Development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy long after subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy long after subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: a case report
title_short Development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy long after subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: a case report
title_sort development of wernicke s encephalopathy long after subtotal stomach preserving pancreatoduodenectomy a case report
topic Wernicke’s encephalopathy
Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy
Thiamine
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40792-020-00982-y
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