ObjectiveTo explore the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) complicated with Wernicke encephalopathy (WE). MethodsThe clinical data of 11 cases of SMAS patients complicated with WE were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsOf 9 SMAS patients complicated with WE, 8 patients were gradually awake and the time of consciousness recovery was from 7 d to 9 weeks (mean 5.2 weeks). Another 1 patient died of multiple organ failure attributed to severe condition. The symptoms of ophthalmopegia and ataxia in the rest 2 patients improved. All of symptoms such as ataxia, nystagmus, tinnitus, nausea, and sweating gradually disappeared. The nystagmus disappeared from 3 h to 4 d (mean 2.3 d) in five patients and the ataxia disappeared from 3 d to 12 weeks (mean 7.0 weeks) in 4 patients. The tinnitus, nausea, and sweating in 6 patients disappeared within 1 week. ConclusionImproving the understanding of SMAS complicated with WE is important during clinical practice and early diagnosis and intervention is the key point for a good prognosis.
Objective To investigate the serum levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid (FA) of exudative agerelated macular degeneration (AMD).Methods A total of 84 patients with exudative AMD(AMD group)and 78 patients with non-exudative AMD (control group) diagnosed at Xijing Hospital between June 2008 and September 2009 were assessed in this study. Serum vitamin B12 and FA levels were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. The statistical information of epidemiology and risk factors exposure histories were collected and compared.Results AMD group had significantly lower serum vitamin B12 levels [(247.51plusmn;93.92)ng/ml] compared with the control group [(312.52plusmn;143.08) ng/ml],the difference was statistical significance (t=5.013, P<0.001). Serum FA levels in AMD group [(5.64plusmn;3.72)ng/ml] were slightly lower than the control group [(10.14plusmn;4.48) ng/ml], the difference was not statistical significance (t=0.780, P=0.437).Conclusion People with lower serum vitamin B12have higher risk of exudative AMD. Low levels of serum vitamin B12 may relate with the occurrence of exudative AMD.