Improvement in chronic hepatocerebral degeneration following liver transplantation.

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.

• Authors: E E Powell, M P Pender, J B Chalk, P J Parkin, R Strong, S Lynch, P Kerlin, W G Cooksley, W Cheng, L W Powell
• Journal: Gastroenterology (Gastroenterology) Vol. 98 Issue 4 Pg. 1079-82 (Apr 1990) ISSN: 0016-5085 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2311862 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

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