Atypical presentation of Wernicke encephalopathy due to thiamine deficiency in a patient post sleeve gastrectomy

Abstract

We present a case of a woman in her 20s who presented to the emergency department with a 1-month history of blurry vision, lower extremity weakness in both legs and progressive numbness involving the feet and anterior chest. On admission, the patient was unable to ambulate. She was 3 months status post laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss and using transdermal vitamin patches for nutritional supplementation. Laboratory values revealed low levels of vitamin B1, vitamin A, vitamin D, folic acid and copper levels. The patient was diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy and possible peripheral neuropathy secondary to thiamine deficiency. She was started on intravenous thiamine 500 mg three times a day and folate 1 mg one time a day for 3 days and then transitioned to oral thiamine 500 mg along with a multivitamin tablet. Improvement in ophthalmoplegia, weakness, sensation and cognition was noticed after initiating treatment.