Pancreatic Encephalopathy: An Unusual Cause of Asterixis

  • Vishal Sharma Department of Gastroenterology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
  • Ravi Sharma Department of Gastroenterology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
  • Surinder S Rana Department of Gastroenterology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
  • Deepak K Bhasin Department of Gastroenterology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
Keywords: Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Dyskinesias, Pancreatitis

Abstract

Context Pancreatic encephalopathy is the occurrence of neuropsychiatric abnormalities in setting of acute pancreatitis which is not otherwise explained by presence of electrolyte abnormities, or organic lesions. The pathogenesis of pancreatic encephalopathy is incompletely understood. The clinical presentation is variable. Case report A 60 year old male, a diabetic for 5 years, was admitted with three days of abdominal pain associated with vomiting and complicated by altered sensorium for one day. He developed asterixis during the course of his hospital stay. Other workup was non-contributory and patient improved with supportive management. Conclusion Asterixis has not hitherto been reported in pancreatic encephalopathy.

Image: Abdominal CT showing an enhancing pancreas with peripancreatic necrosis.

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References

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Abdominal CT showing an enhancing pancreas with peripancreatic necrosis
Published
2014-07-28
How to Cite
SharmaV., SharmaR., RanaS., & BhasinD. (2014). Pancreatic Encephalopathy: An Unusual Cause of Asterixis. JOP. Journal of the Pancreas, 15(4), 383-384. https://doi.org/10.6092/1590-8577/2291
Section
CASE REPORTS