Magnetic resonance imaging as a diagnostic adjunct to Wernicke encephalopathy in the ED.

This report describes usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the evaluation of the patient suspected of Wernicke encephalopathy (WE). Magnetic resonance imaging shows characteristic findings of symmetric hyperintense lesions predominantly located in the bilateral medial thalami, the periaqueductal regions, and the mamillary bodies. The diagnosis of Wernicke encephalopathy has been based generally on history and clinical symptoms. We now believe that MRI could be used as a diagnostic adjunct in the patient suspected of WE.