Gayet-Wernicke's encephalopathy complicating prolonged parenteral nutrition in patient treated for colonic cancer - a case report.

BACKGROUND: Gayet-Wernicke's encephalopathy (GWE) is a neurological pathology caused by a Thiamine deficiency. While it is most often related to chronic alcoholism, GWE can occur in any situation that results in thiamine deficiency. It is a fairly common pathology that is frequently underdiagnosed and therefore under-treated, and is associated with a high mortality and morbidity rate. In the absence of pathognomonic signs, the diagnosis of GWE relies on a range of clinical, biological and radiological assessments. GWE is considered a medical emergency. We present a case of Gayet-Wernicke's Encephalopathy resulting from complete parenteral nutrition in an undernourished North African male operated for a left colon tumor. Through this report, our aim was to put the light on this often underknown disease and to remind the interest of thinking about this pathology in patients at risk of undernourishment especially in oncology. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old North African male with no personal or family history was operated for a sigmoid colon tumor. He was put on exclusive parenteral nutrition on day thirteen post-operatively and presented with a GWE on day sixteen post-operatively. The patient was treated with intravenous vitamin B1 on day eighteen post-operatively and deceased on day twenty-four post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: Although most often associated with chronic alcoholism, GWE occurs in any situation where there is an increased energy demand or decreased nutritional intake especially in oncology. GWE is common but under-diagnosed and remains lethal if not treated urgently, hence the importance of prophylactic treatment.

Case Report: A giant fecaloma revealed by severe aspiration pneumonia and urinary retention.

Fecaloma is an accumulation of hardened impacted stool typically occurring in the sigmoid colon and rectum. It mainly affects elderly and bedridden patients suffering from chronic constipation and can be revealed by different signs. We report a case of 74-year-old female, with anorexia, Alzheimer's disease, and chronic constipation, who was admitted to the emergency department with complaints of dyspnea and anuria. Clinical examination showed fever, Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13/15, tachycardia with a blood pressure of 100/50 mmHg, polypnea with hypoxia, foci of crepitant rales in pulmonary auscultation and a tender hypogastric mass with mild diffuse abdominal tenderness. Digital rectal examination revealed hard fecal material. Computed tomography (CT) images demonstrated bilateral pulmonary parenchymal condensation and a huge heterogeneous fecaloma in the sigmoid colon and rectum compressing the bladder. Based on these findings, the diagnosis of giant fecaloma causing aspiration pneumonia and urinary retention was retained. Manual disimpaction and bowel enemas were done but they were unsuccessful and surgical treatment was refused. Ultimately the patient died due to septic shock. Early diagnosis should be made to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.