Non-cirrhotic hyperammonaemia: are we missing the diagnosis?. Issue 3 (30th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Yi Lin; Pang, Siying; Ong, Caroline
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 13:Issue 3(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03-30
• Subjects: liver disease -- pancreas and biliary tract -- adult intensive care -- portal vein; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2019-233218
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Hepatic encephalopathy secondary to hyperammonaemia is a known complication of chronic liver disease. In contrast, non-cirrhotic hyperammonaemia is a lesser-known entity that should be considered in a patient with acute encephalopathy as part of the diagnostic workup as prompt identification can help to avoid complications such as seizures and cerebral oedema. We present a case of a middle-aged woman who presented electively for a total pancreatectomy–duodenectomy with splenectomy, hepatico-jejunostomy, gastro-jejunostomy and developed encephalopathy on postoperative day 10 due to non-cirrhotic hyperammonaemia.