Not All Who Stagger Are Drunk: Ocular and Gait Abnormalities in a Young Adult
Abstract
A 31-year-old woman presented to the emergency department for the third time in 4 weeks with vomiting, unstable gait, and odd behavior. She had a history of chronic nausea and vomiting. She denied any history of alcohol use. Physical examination showed vertical nystagmus (Video), hyperreflexia, ataxia, and an odd affect. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain were normal. Laboratory results were normal except for a vitamin B1 (thiamine) level of 30 nmol/L (reference range 78-185 nmol/L).
Fields of Study & Subjects
Alcoholism and Thiamine Deficiency
Medical Case Reports and Studies
Vestibular and auditory disorders
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 100291–100291
- Publication date
- 14 January 2026
- Language
- EN