Is there a time window for MRI in Wernicke encephalopathy - a decade of experience from a tertiary hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome caused by thiamine deficiency. Despite its low sensitivity, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most useful diagnostic technique. Our aim was to investigate whether the timing of the imaging study, and thiamine replacement can influence brain MRI findings in these patients. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of hospitalized patients between January/2008 and December/2020 with a clinical diagnosis of WE. Data from clinical presentation, diagnostic features, therapeutic approach, and outcomes were collected. RESULTS: We identified 41 patients (55 ± 13.3 years) with WE. Brain MRI was performed in 36 patients, and one third had T2/FLAIR hyperintensities suggestive of WE. We found an association between a history of poor diet and periventricular hyperintensities (p = 0.023), especially on the ventral surface of the thalamus and the periaqueductal region. It was found that the odds of having a typical imaging of WE decreased by 5.3% for each additional unit (100 mg) of thiamine administered (p = 0.046) (95% CI [0.89, 0.99]). On the other hand, the number of days from clinical presentation was not found to be a viable predictor (p = 0.254) (95% CI [0.88, 1.03]) Recovery was positively correlated with the total dose of thiamine received until discharge (p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: MRI hyperintensities seem to be dependent on the timing of thiamine correction and, particularly, on the thiamine dosage prescribed at admission. Nevertheless, thiamine replacement should not be delayed, as its timely prescription is associated with a better prognosis at discharge.

Fly and treat: Endovascular treatment of ruptured aneurysms at an insular tertiary center.

(Objectives) Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a life-threatening condition associated with poor outcomes. Early intervention is critical, particularly in low-volume hospitals, which are advised to transfer aSAH patients to high-volume centers. This study examines a novel protocol implemented in 2016 at Região Autónoma da Madeira, a Portuguese island. It involves the mobilization of experienced neurointerventionalists from high-volume hospitals to provide aSAH treatment. (Methods) We conducted a retrospective analysis on 30 aSAH patients who underwent endovascular treatment at the island center between November 2016 and April 2022. Additionally, we included a comparison group of 74 aSAH patients, treated with the endovascular approach at Hospital de Braga (high volume center at Portugal mainland). (Results) There was no statistical difference in patients' clinical severity between both hospitals (median WFNS score of 1). Although 90 % of patients in the novel protocol group received treatment within 3 days, we observed a significant delay compared to Hospital de Braga. Rates of aneurysm occlusion and intra-procedure complications between the two groups were similar. At the 3-months follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding patients that achieved a modified Rankin score of 2 or less. However, the island center exhibited a significantly higher mortality rate. (Conclusions) Overall, our results suggest that making the neurointerventionalist fly to an insular center is feasible and allows most patients to be treated within the first 72 h, as recommended. We highlight some potential recommendations for implementing this model and discuss possible causes that might justify the high mortality rate.