Consequences of missed diagnosis of Wernickes
How often is a Wernickes diagnosis missed and what are the consequences?
Wernicke’s encephalopathy is correctly diagnosed in 1 of 22 patients.
The classic features of confusion due to encephalopathy, variable ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia may be complete, or only one or two of the features may be present.
Untreated, patients can become comatose and death can result.
