Hepatocerebral degeneration

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Liver anatomy

Chronic acquired (Non-Wilsonian) hepatocerebral degeneration

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)

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.

Review Date: 09/07/2006
Reviewed By: Kenneth Gross, M.D., Neurology, North Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.