Hepatic Encephalopathy by Manganese Deposition: A Case Report and a Review of Literature.

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy is defined as a spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders in patients with liver dysfunction, usually cirrhosis, after exclusion of brain disease. This study reports the role of manganese in brain alterations and therefore in clinical manifestations of hepatic encephalopathy.

Case presentation: Male patient, 67 years old, suffering from alcoholic liver cirrhosis and two previous episodes of hepatic encephalopathy, developed drowsiness, asterixis, amnesia, disorientation in time and space, and psychomotor retardation. Brain MRI without contrast showed: initial signs of cerebral atrophy, a hyperintense signal of globi pallidi and bilateral substantia nigra. The hyperintense signal of globi pallidi is the result of manganese deposition in the brain.

Conclusion: The case report presented supports the data reported in the literature indicating that the increase in plasma manganese levels in subjects with liver dysfunction is correlated with the onset of extrapyramidal symptoms.