Wilson’s Disease with Late Hepatic Involvement

Abstract

Wilson’s Disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive condition that affects copper metabolism and manifests itself clinically in different ways. The diagnosis is indicated by low serum copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations, increased urine copper excretion and/or increased hepatic copper concentrations. The present case report is about a 55-year-old male with chief complaints of loss of appetite, abdominal swelling, tremors in hand and head, slurring of speech for 10 days. Ultrasound (USG) findings were suggestive of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension and liver function tests were also deranged. He was prescribed diuretics and asked to review after 10 days. Kayser-Fleischer ring was observed through slit lamp examination in both the eyes, which is a hallmark of WD. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of brain also revealed positive findings-hyperintensity throughout the mesencephalon for WD. Thereafter, the patient was treated with penicillamine and his symptoms improved after few days.

Keywords

• liver cirrhosis
• penicillamine
• tremor