Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Language

English

Publication Date

2-1-2025

Journal

Cureus

DOI

10.7759/cureus.78511

PMID

40062135

PMCID

PMC11885173

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

2-4-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Acquired hepatocerebral degeneration (AHD) is a rare neuropsychiatric disorder affecting cirrhotic patients, often presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms triggered by a precipitating factor. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing T1 hyperintensities in the globus pallidus is diagnostic. In this case report, a 40-year-old female patient with alcoholic cirrhosis presented with generalized swelling, jaundice, fever, and signs of septic shock. After stabilization, changes in cognition while this patient was hospitalized prompted the management of several different factors, including the underlying infection, hypernatremia, vitamin deficiency, alcohol withdrawal, and hyperammonemia. Infectious disease consultation helped determine the antibiotic selection and dosage for bacteremia and later concerns for meningitis. This case report illustrates the role of MRI in diagnosing AHD and highlights the importance of how managing precipitating factors such as infection and hyperammonemia is key to improving cognitive status.

Keywords

acquired hepatocerebral degeneration, alcohol abuse, alcoholic cirrhosis, globus pallidus, hyperammonemia, mri finding, septic shock

Published Open-Access

yes

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