Breif Report

Korsakoffs Psychosis Due to Massive Beer Intake Provoked by Diabetes Insipidus

Authors: R. WESLEY FARR MD, DANNY C. BLANKENSHIP MD, ANTHONY VITI MD, and, MARGARET J. ALBRINK MD

Abstract

SUMMARYPosttraumatic diabetes insipidus, acute pancreatitis, and Wernickes encephalopathy and Korsakoffs psychosis in a 33-year-old white male alcohol abuser resulted in near-fatal cardiovascular collapse. The Wernickes encephalopathy and Korsakoffs psychosis resulted from drinking massive quantities of beer to satisfy the thirst induced by diabetes insipidus. Although the diabetes insipidus was controlled with vasopressin, and the need for vasopressin resolved two months after diagnosis, the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome had not resolved by six months.

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