A Current Review of the Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies of Hepatic Encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious and potentially fatal complication in patients with cirrhotic liver disease. It is a spectrum ranging from minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) without recognizable clinical symptoms or signs, to overt HE with risk of cerebral edema and death. HE results in d...

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Main Authors: Z. Poh, P. E. J. Chang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:International Journal of Hepatology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/480309
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author Z. Poh
P. E. J. Chang
author_facet Z. Poh
P. E. J. Chang
author_sort Z. Poh
collection DOAJ
description Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious and potentially fatal complication in patients with cirrhotic liver disease. It is a spectrum ranging from minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) without recognizable clinical symptoms or signs, to overt HE with risk of cerebral edema and death. HE results in diminished quality of life and survival. The broad range of neuropsychiatric manifestations reflects the range of pathophysiological mechanisms and impairment in neurotransmission that are purported to cause HE including hyperammonemia, astrocyte swelling, intra-astrocytic glutamine, upregulation of 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) (formerly known as peripheral benzodiazepine receptor or PBTR), and manganese. There is a myriad of diagnostic tools including simple bedside clinical assessment, and more complex neuropsychological batteries and neurophysiological tests available today. Current treatment strategies are directed at reducing ammonia, with newer agents showing some early promise. This paper describes the pathophysiology of the disease and summarises current diagnostic and treatment therapies available.
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spelling doaj-art-2c1d85c9407e465e92859e85afe06e262025-08-20T02:24:07ZengWileyInternational Journal of Hepatology2090-34482090-34562012-01-01201210.1155/2012/480309480309A Current Review of the Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies of Hepatic EncephalopathyZ. Poh0P. E. J. Chang1Division of Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, 169608, SingaporeDivision of Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, 169608, SingaporeHepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious and potentially fatal complication in patients with cirrhotic liver disease. It is a spectrum ranging from minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) without recognizable clinical symptoms or signs, to overt HE with risk of cerebral edema and death. HE results in diminished quality of life and survival. The broad range of neuropsychiatric manifestations reflects the range of pathophysiological mechanisms and impairment in neurotransmission that are purported to cause HE including hyperammonemia, astrocyte swelling, intra-astrocytic glutamine, upregulation of 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) (formerly known as peripheral benzodiazepine receptor or PBTR), and manganese. There is a myriad of diagnostic tools including simple bedside clinical assessment, and more complex neuropsychological batteries and neurophysiological tests available today. Current treatment strategies are directed at reducing ammonia, with newer agents showing some early promise. This paper describes the pathophysiology of the disease and summarises current diagnostic and treatment therapies available.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/480309
spellingShingle Z. Poh
P. E. J. Chang
A Current Review of the Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies of Hepatic Encephalopathy
International Journal of Hepatology
title A Current Review of the Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies of Hepatic Encephalopathy
title_full A Current Review of the Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies of Hepatic Encephalopathy
title_fullStr A Current Review of the Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies of Hepatic Encephalopathy
title_full_unstemmed A Current Review of the Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies of Hepatic Encephalopathy
title_short A Current Review of the Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies of Hepatic Encephalopathy
title_sort current review of the diagnostic and treatment strategies of hepatic encephalopathy
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/480309
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