Wernicke's encephalopathy with ballooned neurons in the mamillary bodies: an immunohistochemical study.

摘要: Two cases of Wernicke's encephalopathy with the rare phenomenon ballooned neurons in mamillary bodies are reported. Both patients suffered from acute symptoms starting approximately two weeks before death. The contained grossly enlarged, neurons, one case associated focal necrosis. affected were immunoreactive for phosphorylated neurofilament (160 and 200 kDa), synaptophysin. Ubiquitin alpha beta-crystallin expression not detected. mamillo-thalamic tract appeared normal both cases. There was a marked microglial reaction, as shown by antibody Ki-MIP. It is concluded that ballooning reflects an retrograde reaction to primarily axonal damage. Rather than being manifestation disease, these may constitute typical intermediate early stage (10-15 days) development encephalopathy).