Wernicke encephalopathy

Description

Wernicke's encephalopathy is an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome characterised by nystagmus, ophthalmoplegia, changes in the mental status, an uncoordinated gait and truncal ataxia. Wernicke's encephalopathy is usually accompanied or followed by Korsakoff's syndrome/Korsakoff's dementia (a continuum of Wernicke's encephalopathy characterised by severe memory defects, ataxia, apathy, disorientation, confabulations, hallucinations, paralysis of muscles controlling the eye and coma). The disorder results from a deficiency in vitamin B1, and mostly occurs in adults with a history of alcohol abuse or in patients with AIDS.

Coding note from above levels

Chronic alcohol use may be associated with thiamine deficiency, but alcohol may also have effects on the brain via other mechanisms. This category should be used to describe cognitive symptoms due to chronic alcohol use if there is evidence of thiamine deficiency.

Exclusions from above levels

• 6D72.10 – Amnestic disorder due to use of alcohol
• 1C62.3Y – slim disease
• 6B80 – Anorexia Nervosa