Wernicke Encephalopathy Presenting with Dysphagia: A Case Report and Systematic Literature Review

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#humans #child #adolescent #young-adult #adult

Wernicke Encephalopathy Presenting with Dysphagia: A Case Report and Systematic Literature Review

Cornea et al., 2022 | Nutrients | Systematic Review

Citation

Cornea Amalia, Lata Irina, ... Rosca Elena Cecilia. Wernicke Encephalopathy Presenting with Dysphagia: A Case Report and Systematic Literature Review. Nutrients. 2022-Dec-13;14(24). doi:10.3390/nu14245294

Abstract

Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a well-known neurological condition caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency that occurs in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic populations. We aimed to report a case of a patient with WE who presented with dysphagia and dysphonia and later developed typical symptoms of thiamine deficiency and to conduct a systematic review of the literature on this rare presentation of WE. We searched two databases (PubMed and Scopus) and included publications up to November 2022. We found 12 cases of WE and dysphagia, aged between 12 and 81 years; swallowing problems presented at the onset in nine patients (including the current case report). Our findings suggest that thiamine deficiency should be suspected in patients with dysphagia of unknown cause, even in the absence of alcohol abuse. In contrast to most WE patients, the majority of patients included in this review presented with dysphagia at the onset of their disease, even in the absence of the classic triad of cognitive impairment, ataxia, and oculomotor abnormalities, indicating that there could be varying susceptibilities to clinical manifestations of thiamine deficiency in different brain regions.

Key Findings

In contrast to most WE patients, the majority of patients included in this review presented with dysphagia at the onset of their disease, even in the absence of the classic triad of cognitive impairment, ataxia, and oculomotor abnormalities, indicating that there could be varying susceptibilities to clinical manifestations of thiamine deficiency in different brain regions.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population dysphagia of unknown cause
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition cognitive

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Child
  • Adolescent
  • Young Adult
  • Adult
  • Middle Aged
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Wernicke Encephalopathy
  • Deglutition Disorders
  • Thiamine Deficiency
  • Thiamine
  • Alcoholism

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Case Reports, Journal Article
  • Vertical: thiamine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09