[Lesions of the brain stem and cerebellum of alcoholic and nutritional deficiency origin].

Lesions of the brain stem and cerebellum due to toxic substances or nutritional deficiencies are mostly seen in chronic alcohol abuse and, more rarely, in severe malnutrition. Four clinical entities are described: Wernicke's encephalopathy is the most frequent of these, with progressive development of disorders of consciousness, oculomotor palsies and ataxia. The condition regresses under massive vitamin BA therapy, but it often leaves neuropsychological sequelae (e. g. Korsakoff's syndrome). The best treatment is prevention by giving thiamine to alcoholics and to malnourished subjects who receive glucose infusions. Cerebellar atrophy of alcoholic origin is responsible for subacute ataxia which, as a rule, is definitive. Central pontine myelinolysis is rare and presents as sudden quadriplegia with pseudobulbar palsy and sometimes "locked-in" syndrome. Beside alcohol, a frequent cause is major ionic disorders, such as hyponatraemia or its excessively rapid correction. Pellagra is a classical disease rarely seen in this country. It is due to nicotinamide (vitamin PP) deficiency.