The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine (대한한방내과학회지)

The Society of Internal Korean Medicine (대한한방내과학회)
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A Case Report of a Patient with Wernicke's Encephalopathy Complaining of Quadriplegia, Ataxia, and Impaired Cognition Improved by Korean Medicine Treatment

한의치료로 호전되었던 사지마비, 운동실조, 인지저하를 호소하는 베르니케 뇌병증 환자 증례보고 1례

  • Shim, Sang-song (Dept. of Internal Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Lee, Hyun-seung (Dept. of Internal Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Ahn, Jae-yoon (Dept. of Internal Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Chae, Han-nah (Dept. of Internal Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Yun, Jong-min (Dept. of Internal Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Moon, Byung-soon (Dept. of Internal Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University)
  • 심상송 (원광대학교 한의과대학 내과학교실) ;
  • 이현승 (원광대학교 한의과대학 내과학교실) ;
  • 안재윤 (원광대학교 한의과대학 내과학교실) ;
  • 채한나 (원광대학교 한의과대학 내과학교실) ;
  • 윤종민 (원광대학교 한의과대학 내과학교실) ;
  • 문병순 (원광대학교 한의과대학 내과학교실)
  • Received : 2020.09.11
  • Accepted : 2020.10.23
  • Published : 2020.10.30
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Abstract

Background: This study is a report on a case of a Wernicke's encephalopathy with quadriplegia, ataxia, and impaired cognition, whose condition was improved by Korean medicine treatment. Case report: A 51-year-old man diagnosed with Wernicke's encephalopathy was treated with acupuncture, Banhabakchulchunma-tang mixed with Ondam-tang-gami (半夏白朮天麻湯合溫膽湯加味), cupping, moxibustion, and rehabilitation. Clinical symptoms were measured with the Manual Muscle Test (MMT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Korean Mini Mental Status Exam (K-MMSE), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and a numeric rating scale (NRS). After 22 days of treatment, his clinical symptoms showed improvement. The motor function improved (MMT Rt. side Gr. 4+G/4+G, Lt. side Gr. 4G/4+G → Rt. side Gr. 5-N/4+G, Lt. side Gr. 5-N/4+G), Ataxia was relieved (BBS 3→33), cognition improved (K-MMSE 15→27), ADL scores showed improvement (FIM 58→90, MBI 40→75), and the NRS score decreased for headache (3→0). Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment could be effective in the treatment of patients with Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Keywords

References

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