Fifty-four-year old male was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to impaired consciousness. Past medical history included alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis, esophageal varices, 2 esophageal varices banding procedures in the past, pathological obesity. Computed tomography (CT) examination of the head performed in the referring hospital was normal. At admission the CT examination of the head was repeated and showed no abnormalities. Urgent esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed presence of esophageal varices and scarification following previous banding procedures located in the middle and lower part of the esophagus. Gastrointestinal bleeding being the most likely cause of chronic liver decompensation was therefore excluded. Multimodal neurologic diagnostic assessment was negative. Finally magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head was performed. Taking into account clinical picture and the MRI result, the differential diagnosis included chronic liver encephalopathy, exacerbated acquired hepatocerebral degeneration, and acute liver encephalopathy. Due to history of umbilical hernia CT of the abdomen and pelvis was performed and showed intussusception of the ileum, confirming hepatic encephalopathy. In this case report the MRI suggested the diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy and prompted search for alternative causes of decompensation of chronic liver disease.
Keywords: acute liver failure; chronic liver disease; cirrhosis; encephalopathy; magnetic resonance imaging.