Focal hepatic encephalopathy with status epilepticus: incomplete recovery after hepatic transplantation

Prevalence of Electrographic Seizures in Hospitalized Patients With Altered Mental Status With No Significant Seizure Risk Factors Who Underwent Continuous EEG Monitoring: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of electrographic seizures in hospitalized patients with altered mental status and no significant risk factors for seizures.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed over a six-year period (2013-2019) the medical records of all adults admitted at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC), who underwent continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) monitoring for > 48 hours. Our primary objective was to identify the prevalence of electrographic seizures in patients with altered mental status and no significant acute or remote risk factors for seizures.

RESULTS

A total of 1966 patients were screened for the study, 1892 were excluded (96.2%) and 74 patients met inclusion criteria. Electrographic seizures were identified in seven of 74 patients (9.45%). We found a significant correlation between electrographic seizures and a history of hepatic cirrhosis, n= 4 (57%), (p=0.035), acute chronic hepatic failure during admission, 71% (n=5), (p=0.027), and hyperammonemia (p =0.009).

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective study of patients with altered mental status and no significant acute or remote risk factors for seizures who underwent cEEG monitoring for > 48 hours, electrographic seizures were identified in 9.45%. Electrographic seizures were associated with hepatic dysfunction and hyperammonemia. Based on our results, cEEG monitoring should be considered in patients with altered mental status and hepatic dysfunction even in the absence of other seizure risk factors.

Hepatic encephalopathy with reversible focal neurologic signs resembling acute stroke: case report

A 64-year-old female with a history of primary biliary cirrhosis and esophageal varices starting at age 39 was brought to our Stroke Care Unit by ambulance with right-side weakness and speech difficulty. Physical examination revealed right hemiparesis (including the face), sensory disturbances, pathological reflexes, and slightly decreased consciousness, with a Glasgow Coma Scale rating of E3V4M6. Flapping tremors and speech disturbance, as well as anarithmia, construction apraxia, and ideomotor apraxia, were noted, and her National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 13. Initially, the patient was diagnosed with acute stroke and treated accordingly; however, subsequent findings from clinical images and electroencephalography led to a diagnosis of focal neurologic signs due to hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The patient had significantly reduced cerebral blood flow in the left side of the brain, probably due to microsurgical repair of an aneurysm done 2 years earlier. HE with exaggerated chronic liver damage might have made the previously silent ischemia clinically apparent. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the patient's neurologic deficits resolved once HE was adequately controlled. This case illustrates the need for careful assessment of background pathophysiology when diagnosing patients with stroke-like symptoms.

Hepatic encephalopathy with status epileptics: A case report

A 62-year-old male with decompensated liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus developed severe hepatic encephalopathy with status epileptic us. The blood ammonia level on admission was more than twice the normal level. Brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were normal. In addition, electroencephalogram showed diffuse sharp waves, consistent with hepatic encephalopathy. The status epilepticus was resolved after antiepileptic therapy (phenytoin sodium) and treatment for hepatic encephalopathy (Branched chain amino acids). The blood ammonia level normalized with the clinical improvement and the patient did not have a recurrence of status epilepticus after the end of the antiepileptic treatment. Additionally, the electroencephalogram showed normal findings. Thus, we diagnosed the patient as hepatic encephalopathy with status epilepticus. We consider the status epilepticus of this patient to a rare and interesting finding in hepatic encephalopathy.

Status epilepticus as a manifestation of hepatic encephalopathy

OBJECTIVES

Seizures have been described as a rare manifestation of hepatic encephalopathy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We present a 54-year-old female, with 6-year history of decompensated, hepatitis B liver cirrhosis, admitted with generalized seizures. She reported a history of recurrent episodes of hepatic encephalopathy, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, tense ascites and variceal hemorrhage. Neurologic examination revealed a comatose patient, without papilledema. Laboratory examinations were suitable with cirrhosis and mild renal failure. Blood gas examination revealed severe metabolic acidosis and hypoxemia. Plasma NH3+ levels upon admission were twice normal. Brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were normal. Electroencephalogram showed diffuse sharp waves, consistent with hepatic encephalopathy, grades III-IV.

RESULTS

Status epilepticus was refractory to continuous antiepileptic treatment. However, it was resolved after 24-h therapy with lactulose. Blood NH3 levels were simultaneously normalized with clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

We consider the status epilepticus of our patient to be a rare manifestation of hepatic encephalopathy.