Hepatic encephalopathy (Q43622)

Hepatic encephalopathy is a complication of liver cirrhosis and a hallmark of acute liver failure, and is also observed in patients with portosystemic shunts without cirrhosis. Hepatic encephalopathy is characterised by personality changes, intellectual impairment, flapping tremor and a decreased consciousness level. In the advanced stages it is called hepatic coma, which may lead to death. The diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy is made primarily by recognition of neuropsychiatric changes occurring in a patient with liver disease, after exclusion of brain diseases.