hepatic and biliary disorders
Portosystemic Encephalopathy
Symptoms and Signs of Portosystemic Encephalopathy
Symptoms and signs of encephalopathy tend to develop in progressive stages (see table). Symptoms usually do not become apparent until brain function is moderately impaired. Constructional apraxia, in which patients cannot reproduce simple designs (eg, a star), develops early. Agitation and mania can develop but are uncommon. Asterixis is a characteristic flapping tremor that is elicited when patients hold their arms outstretched with wrists dorsiflexed. Neurologic deficits are usually symmetric. Neurologic signs in coma usually reflect bilateral diffuse hemispheric dysfunction. Signs of brain stem dysfunction develop only in advanced coma, often during the hours or days before death. A musty, sweet breath odor (fetor hepaticus) can occur regardless of the stage of encephalopathy. 