Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Patient with Acute Wernicke Encephalopathy

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 23(1); 2005 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2005;23(1): 108-110.

급성 베르니케뇌병증 환자의 확산강조 자기공명영상

김대현, 김효경 박지강*

울산대학교 의과대학 울산대학교병원 신경과학교실, 진단방사선과학교실*

Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Patient with Acute Wernicke Encephalopathy

Dae-Hyun Kim

Department of Neurology and Radiology*, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Korea

Abstract

We report a case of acute Wernicke encephalopathy in which diffusion-weighted imagings (DWI) revealed symmetrical high signal intensities in the medial thalamus, bilateral hemispheres of the cerebellum and periaqueductal gray matter. Calculation of the apparent diffusion coefficient demonstrated a mildly decreased diffusion on the affected regions. The high signal lesions were slowly resolved on the acute phase follow-up images with the administration of thimaine. We propose DWI should be included in the imaging protocols of patients suspected to suffer from Wernicke encephalopathy.KeyWords:Wernicke encephalopathy, Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging