AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThese abnormalities may not be detected with the tests that are classically used for the diagnosis of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Background/aims: The present study investigated cerebral morphological abnormalities in non-alcoholic cirrhotic patients without overt encephalopathy. Methods: Thirteen patients (10 male, three female, mean age 34±12 years) were included and all of them underwent psychometric testing, EEG analysis, visual evoked potentials, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain to assess for subclinical cerebral abnormalities. Results: Psychometric testing, EEG and visual evoked potentials revealed abnormalities in six, three and one patients respectively. Computerized tomography diagnosed two patients with cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, while cerebral magnetic resonance imaging documented 12 patients with high signal intensities, mainly in the globus pallidus. Conclusion: Cirrhotic patients with or without subclinical encephalopathy may have signal intensity changes in the brain that can be demonstrated with magnetic resonance imaging. These abnormalities may not be detected with the tests that are classically used for the diagnosis of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy.
Özet
Amaç: Klinik olarak aşikar hepatik ensefalopatisi olmayan alkol dışı sirotik hastalarda magnetik rezonans ile serebral morfolojik ve anatomik bulgular araştırıldı. Yöntem: Çalışmaya 13 hasta (10 erkek 3 kadın, ortlama yaş; 34±12 yıl) dahil edildi ve bu hastalarda olası subklinik ensefalapati varlığı, psikometrik test, EEG, visual evok potansiyeller ve beyin tomografisi testleri yapıldı. Bulgular: Psikometrik test, EEG, ve VEP ile 6, 3 ve 1 hastada anormallikler bulunurken, beyin tomografisi ile 2 hastada serebral ve serebellar atrofi, 12 hastada ise serebral MR'da globus pallidumda belirgin sinyal artışı*** ile karakterize anormallikler izlendi. Sonuç: Klinik ensefalopatisi olmayan sirotik hastalarda beyinde sinyal şiddet değişiklikleri manyetik rezonans ile saptanabilmektedir. Bu anormallikler; subklinik hepatik ensefalopati teşhisinde klasik olarak kullanılan testler ile tespit edilmeyebilinir.