Regression of Asymmetric Upper Extremity Tremor after Liver Transplantation in a Patient with Hepatic Encephalopathy: Case Report

Abstract

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a brain dysfunction caused by liver failure. Clinically, it can manifests as a wide spectrum of neurological or psychiatric abnormalities. This report presents a case of a 43-year-old male with HE and asymmetric kinetic, postural and resting tremor of upper extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed signal abnormalities in numerous areas. The patient underwent liver transplantation and six months after normalization of liver function, tremor as well as brain MRI abnormalities almost completely regressed. This case report presents the asymmetric and reversible kinetic, postural and resting tremor of upper extremities as part of the spectrum of neurological abnormalities in HE.

Keywords

• Hepatic encephalopathy
• Tremor
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Liver transplantation
• Case reports