Alternative Names
Chronic acquired (Non-Wilsonian) hepatocerebral degeneration
Definition of Hepatocerebral degeneration
Hepatocerebral degeneration is a brain disorder that occurs in people with liver damage.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
This condition may occur in any case of acquired liver failure, including severe hepatitis.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
Signs and tests
Signs include:
Treatment
Treatment helps reduce the toxic chemicals that build up from liver failure. It may antibiotics or a medication such as lactulose, which lowers the level of ammonia in the blood.
Expectations (prognosis)
This is a long-term (chronic) condition that may lead to irreversible nervous system (neurological) symptoms.
Review
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. – 7/7/2010
