[Wernicke's encephalopathy following sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity].

BACKGROUND

Bariatric restrictive interventions, as sleeve gastrectomy or gastric banding can cause metabolic complications, especially when vomiting is present, such as thiamine deficiency that can lead to Wernicke's encephalopathy.

METHODS

A 31-year-old man with a 47kg/m(2) body mass index presented with Wernicke's encephalopathy, with ophtalmoplegia, nystagmus, ataxia and confusion, followed by a Korsakoff syndrome, occurring two months after a sleeve gastrectomy. MRI showed hyperintense signals on T2 and FLAIR image in both thalamus, periaqueducal area and mamillary bodies.

CONCLUSIONS

A close clinical and biological monitoring is required in the first year after surgery, especially if vomiting occurs. Early diagnostic and treatment are needed to avoid severe sequelae.