Improvement in chronic hepatocerebral degeneration following liver transplantation

Gastroenterology. 1990 Apr;98(4):1079-82. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(90)90036-z.

Abstract

Chronic progressive hepatocerebral degeneration with spastic paraparesis, dementia, dysarthria, ataxia, tremor, and neuropsychiatric symptoms follows long-standing portal-systemic shunting, is associated with structural changes in the central nervous system, and does not respond to conventional therapy for hepatic encephalopathy. A case of advanced chronic liver disease with severe, progressive hepatocerebral degeneration after 23 yr of portal-systemic shunting is reported in whom there was significant objective improvement in intellectual function and in the chronic neurological signs 3 mo after orthotopic liver transplantation and further improvement 12 mo after transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / etiology
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / psychology
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Intelligence / physiology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis / surgery
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Portacaval Shunt, Surgical
  • Time Factors