Prompt

A 52-year-old man is day five after admission for confusion and heavy alcohol use. He received high-dose IV thiamine and is more alert, but still cannot retain new information and confabulates about having discharged home yesterday. His sister is angry: 'They said he has dementia like Mum — is that true? Why the huge vitamin drips? Will he ever live alone again?' She wants plain language about Wernicke, Korsakoff, MRI, and what supports he needs.

Station brief

Format. Communication station, approximately 7–10 minutes after reading time. You are the psychiatry registrar. [3][4]

Candidate instructions. Explain in plain language: what Wernicke encephalopathy is and why high-dose vitamin B1 drips were given; what Korsakoff/ARBI mean and how this differs from typical late-life Alzheimer disease; role of MRI; realistic recovery with abstinence and supports; capacity and why major decisions may need delay/support; involve sister respectfully; agree next steps. Check understanding. [1][2][5]

Psychiatry Fellowship Pro

You have read the opening of this CASC / OSCE. The complete unit — every section and its primary-source references — is part of the Psychiatry Fellowship fellowship atlas.

References6Show ledger

[1]Caine D, Halliday GM, Kril JJ, et al. Operational criteria for the classification of chronic alcoholics: identification of Wernicke's encephalopathy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 1997.PMID 9010400
[2]Galvin R, Bråthen G, Ivashynka A, et al. EFNS guidelines for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of Wernicke encephalopathy. Eur J Neurol, 2010.PMID 20642790
[3]Kopelman MD, Thomson AD, Guerrini I, et al. The Korsakoff syndrome: clinical aspects, psychology and treatment. Alcohol Alcohol, 2009.PMID 19151162
[4]Zahr NM, Kaufman KL, Harper CG Clinical and pathological features of alcohol-related brain damage. Nat Rev Neurol, 2011.PMID 21487421
[5]Wilson K, Halsey A, Macpherson H, et al. The psycho-social rehabilitation of patients with alcohol-related brain damage in the community. Alcohol Alcohol, 2012.PMID 22278316
[6]Svanberg J, Evans JJ Neuropsychological rehabilitation in alcohol-related brain damage: a systematic review. Alcohol Alcohol, 2013.PMID 23955833

Station brief

Format. Communication station, approximately 7–10 minutes after reading time. You are the psychiatry registrar. [3][4]

Psychiatry Fellowship Pro

You have read the opening of this CASC / OSCE. The complete unit — every section and its primary-source references — is part of the Psychiatry Fellowship fellowship atlas.

References6Show ledger

[1]Caine D, Halliday GM, Kril JJ, et al. Operational criteria for the classification of chronic alcoholics: identification of Wernicke's encephalopathy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 1997.PMID 9010400
[2]Galvin R, Bråthen G, Ivashynka A, et al. EFNS guidelines for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of Wernicke encephalopathy. Eur J Neurol, 2010.PMID 20642790
[3]Kopelman MD, Thomson AD, Guerrini I, et al. The Korsakoff syndrome: clinical aspects, psychology and treatment. Alcohol Alcohol, 2009.PMID 19151162
[4]Zahr NM, Kaufman KL, Harper CG Clinical and pathological features of alcohol-related brain damage. Nat Rev Neurol, 2011.PMID 21487421
[5]Wilson K, Halsey A, Macpherson H, et al. The psycho-social rehabilitation of patients with alcohol-related brain damage in the community. Alcohol Alcohol, 2012.PMID 22278316
[6]Svanberg J, Evans JJ Neuropsychological rehabilitation in alcohol-related brain damage: a systematic review. Alcohol Alcohol, 2013.PMID 23955833

Explaining Wernicke, Korsakoff, and long-term supports — CASC communication station

Station brief

Explaining Wernicke, Korsakoff, and long-term supports — CASC communication station

Station brief