Multiple intrahepatic vascular shunts causing hyperammoniaemic encephalopathy in a patient without liver cirrhosis

Dig Liver Dis. 2006 May;38(5):347-51. doi: 10.1016/j.dld.2005.06.005. Epub 2005 Aug 1.

Abstract

The very rare case of a non-cirrhotic patient with multiple intrahepatic portosystemic and arteriosystemic vascular shunts, presenting with hyperammoniaemic type B encephalopathy and hypoalbuminaemia due to proteinuria, is reported. The correct diagnosis, suspected by abdominal ultrasound and colour-Doppler imaging, was confirmed by hepatic and superior mesenteric angiography. A comparison with the few similar cases existing in the literature is offered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angiography
  • Hepatic Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / complications*
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Hyperammonemia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hyperammonemia / etiology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Male
  • Mesenteric Artery, Superior / diagnostic imaging
  • Portal Vein / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color