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Hepatocerebral degeneration - Symptom

Alternative Names

Chronic acquired (Non-Wilsonian) hepatocerebral degeneration

Symptoms:

Symptoms may include:

  • Tremor (shaking of arms, head)
  • Ataxia (unsteady walking)
  • Difficulty walking
  • Chorea (uncontrolled body movements)
  • Myoclonus (spasm of muscles)
  • Impairment of intellectual function
  • Coma
  • Jaundice
  • Rigidity
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding from esophageal varices (enlarged veins in the food pipe)
  • Ascites (fluid in the abdomen, causing swelling)

Signs and tests:

A thorough neurological examination may show signs of dementia, involuntary movements, and walking instability. Laboratory tests may show a high ammonia level in the bloodstream and abnormal liver function test results.

A head CT scan or a cranial MRI may not show any abnormalities, or may show non-specific changes in the basal ganglia region of the brain. An EEG test may show general slowing of brain waves, which is consistent with an abnormal metabolic (chemical breakdown) process.

  • Reviewed last on: 9/7/2006
  • Kenneth Gross, M.D., Neurology, North Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Wijdicks EF, Wiesner RH. Acquired (non-Wilsonian) hepatocerebral degeneration: complex management decisions. Liver Transpl. 2003 Sep;9(9):993-4.

Burkhard PR, Delavelle J, Du Pasquier R, Spahr L. Chronic parkinsonism associated with cirrhosis: a distinct subset of acquired hepatocerebral degeneration. Arch Neurol. 2003 Apr;60(4):521-8.