Microdialysis in the management of hepatic encephalopathy.

Author(s): Hutchinson PJ, Gimson A, Al-Rawi PG, O'Connell MT, Czosnyka M, Menon DK

Affiliation(s): Academic Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. pjah2@cam.ac.uk

Publication date & source: 2006, Neurocrit Care., 5(3):202-5.

Publication type: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

INTRODUCTION: Fulminant hepatic encephalopathy has a high mortality. METHODS: This case report describes the role of cerebral microdialysis as an adjunct to the management of a 49 - year-old woman with hepatic encephalopathy secondary to a paracetamol overdose. RESULTS: The application of the microdialysis technique, by detecting a very low cerebral glucose concentration in the presence of a normal plasma glucose, assisted in clinical decision making. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral microdialysis, by enabling continuous on-line monitoring of substrate delivery and metabolism, may have a role in the management of patients with fulminant hepatic failure.