Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To describe a series of consecutive patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and to present a new classification system for brain edema, an important cause of mortality in such patients. DESIGN: We reviewed 22 computed tomographic (CT) scans of the brain in 12 patients with FHF and classified the severity of cerebral edema by using predefined criteria. RESULTS: CONCLUSION: Stage 3 or 4 hepatic encephalopathy is associated with cerebral edema that can be detected on CT scans. The clinical and radiologic signs of cerebral edema in patients who have progression to stage 3 hepatic encephalopathy can be reversed with conventional treatment of increased intracranial pressure. Whether early recognition and treatment of cerebral edema result in increased survival of patients with FHF remains to be determined.
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Authors | E F Wijdicks, D J Plevak, J Rakela, R H Wiesner |
Journal | Mayo Clinic proceedings
(Mayo Clin Proc)
Vol. 70
Issue 2
Pg. 119-24
(Feb 1995)
ISSN: 0025-6196 [Print] England |
PMID | 7845036
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Brain Edema
(classification, diagnostic imaging, etiology, physiopathology)
- Female
- Hepatic Encephalopathy
(classification, complications, physiopathology)
- Humans
- Intracranial Pressure
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Monitoring, Physiologic
(methods)
- Severity of Illness Index
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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