Encephalopathy natural history
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Encephalopathy |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Encephalopathy natural history On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Encephalopathy natural history |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Encephalopathy natural history |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Encephalopathies of different types have different ways of progression of disease. Few conditions can lead to abrupt onset and few develop over a period of time. Some types are completely reversible where as few cause irreversible damage and dysfunction. Most encephalopathies have similar kind of progression with little variation.
Natural History
Patients presenting with encephalopathy usually have past history of any chronic disease. In various conditions, some precipitating factors may contribute to the manifestation of encephalopathy such as hyperammonemia or infection in patients with liver disease. Symptoms are quite varied among the different types of encephalopathies. They can be ranging from sub-clinical presentation to coma. Encephalopathies are the presentation of severe disease which if untreated never resolves on its own. Prompt identification and treatment are warranted in these conditions, if delayed chances of residual neurological effects are more.
Complications
Complications related to encephalopathy are due to the underlying disease process such as electrolyte imbalances, drugs and poisons, sepsis and multiorgan failure and can include:
Prognosis
Treating the underlying cause of the disorder may improve or reverse symptoms. However, in some cases, the encephalopathy may cause permanent structural changes and irreversible damage to the brain. Some encephalopathies can be fatal. Certain factors are of prognostic importance like:
- Age
- Rapidity of onset
- Delay in correcting the cause
- Most important is the underlying cause