Reversible cytotoxic or vasogenic edema in Wernicke encephalopathy: serial diffusion-weighted MRI study

Background: Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a severe neurological disorder due to thiamine deficiency characterized by confusion, abnormal eye movements and ataxia. Only few cases of abnormal MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in WE have been reported. Objectives: We report clinical and DWI findings in two cases of WE with special regard to apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Case 1: A 71-year-old woman with a 3-month history of stomach cancer presenting with altered consciousness, bilateral horizontal nystagmus and mild ataxia. MRI performed 6 days after symptom onset showed hyperintense signal changes…