Functional neurological symptoms masquerading as Wernicke encephalopathy following bariatric surgery. Issue 4 (2nd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kiselica, Andrew M.; Rosen, Sabra; Benge, Jared F.
• Is Part Of: Proceedings. Volume 32:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 607
• Page End: 609
• Publication Date: 2019-10-02
• Subjects: Bariatric surgery -- conversion disorder -- neuropsychology -- somatic symptom disorder -- Wernicke encephalopathy; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Medicine -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2019.1651149
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-8280

Abstract

Abstract: Wernicke encephalopathy (WE), caused by thiamine deficiency, is classically associated with alcoholism but is increasingly recognized among patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. As with other neurocognitive conditions, alternative explanations for symptoms, such as psychiatric, neurological, and motivational factors, must be considered before arriving at a diagnosis of WE. We present a patient after sleeve gastrectomy who was presumed to have WE; after detailed neuropsychological assessment, the condition was better conceptualized as a conversion disorder. The case illustrates the heretofore unrecognized role of bariatric surgery in the development of functional symptoms and demonstrates the importance of neuropsychological assessment in detecting functional symptoms.