Korean J Crit Care Med.  2016 Feb;31(1):49-53. 10.4266/kjccm.2016.31.1.49.

Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus following Liver Transplantation

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. anesjeongmin@yuhs.ac

Abstract

Neurological complications following liver transplantation are more common than after other organ transplants. These complications include seizure in about 8% of cases, which is associated with morbidity and mortality. Seizure should be treated immediately, and the process of differential diagnosis has to be performed appropriately in order to avoid permanent neurologic deficit. We herein report a case of status epilepticus after liver transplantation. The status epilepticus was treated promptly and the cause of seizure was assessed. The patient was discharged without any complication.

Keyword

liver transplantation; posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome; status epilepticus

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Liver Transplantation*
Liver*
Mortality
Neurologic Manifestations
Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome
Seizures
Status Epilepticus*
Transplants

Figure

  • Fig. 1. Trends in serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALT), ammonia, and sodium levels during the postoperative period.

  • Fig. 2. Time flow sheet and medications during the postoperative period. ICU: intensive care unit.

  • Fig. 3. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed T2 hyperintensity (A, arrow) and swelling of the cortex and subcortices of the bilateral temporo-parieto-occipital lobes that was dominant in the posterior quadrants on the 18th postoperative day (B).

  • Fig. 4. On the 27th postoperative day, brain magnetic resonance imaging showed improvement of T2 hyperintensity (A, arrow) and swelling of the cortex and subcortices of the bilateral temporo-parieto-occipital lobes (B).


Reference

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