Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Differential Diagnoses

  • Author: Glen L Xiong, MD; Chief Editor: David Bienenfeld, MD   more...
 
Updated: Sep 15, 2011
 
 

Diagnostic Considerations

Wernicke encephalopathy should be differentiated from acute delirium secondary to hypoxia, hypercarbia, central nervous system (CNS) infections, and postictal state (seizure). Ataxic disorders also can result from cerebellar infarction. Ocular disorders also can result from vasculitis or infarction.

The differential diagnosis of Korsakoff psychosis includes the following:

  • Temporal lobe epilepsy
  • Temporal lobe infarction
  • Concussive head injury
  • Dementia with Lewy bodies
  • Transient global amnesia
  • Anoxic encephalopathy
  • Alzheimer disease
  • Third ventricle tumor
  • Herpes simplex virus

Differential Diagnoses

Proceed to Workup
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Glen L Xiong, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine; Attending Psychiatrist, Sacramento Mental Health Treatment Center; Attending Physician, Sacramento County Primary Care Clinic

Glen L Xiong, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Psychiatric Association, and Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society

Disclosure: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Royalty Book Editor; PGxHealth Consulting fee Consulting; National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression Grant/research funds Independent contractor

Coauthor(s)

G Patrick Daubert, MD  Assistant Professor, Assistant Medical Director, Sacramento Division, California Poison Control System; Director of Clinical and Medical Toxicology Education, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center

G Patrick Daubert, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Medical Toxicology, American Medical Association, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Chief Editor

David Bienenfeld, MD  Professor of Psychiatry, Vice-Chair and Director of Residency Training, Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University, Boonshoft School of Medicine

David Bienenfeld, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Association for Academic Psychiatry

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors Alan DeAngelo, MD, and Alan Halliday, MD, to the development and writing of the source article.

References

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