Review article

Wernicke’s encephalopathy as a complication of bariatric surgery

Viviana Mršić
Višnja Nesek Adam
Davorin Velnić
Marko Barić
Elvira Grizelj Stojčić
Martina Matolić

Abstract

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is an acute, serious brain disorder resulting from thiamine deficiency which is an important cofactor in several enzymes associated with carbohydrate metabolism. The encephalopathy is most often associated with severe alcohol abuse, but thiamine deficiency can be caused by many other medical conditions. Bariatric surgery is listed among the causes of Wernicke’s encephalopathy. In this review a brief overview of risk factors which cause thiamine deficiency is presented. In addition to that, a short retrospect on clinical features, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures important in recognition, therapy and prophylaxis of Wernicke’s encephalopathy occurring as a complication of bariatric surgery is given.

Keywords

Central nervous system disease, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, surgery; Thiamine deficiency; Alcoholism; Obesity; Korsakoff syndrome

Hrčak ID:

198010

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/198010

Publication date:

1.12.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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