Hepatic Encephalopathy Induced Transient Cortical Blindness

Abstract

Hepatic encephalopathy describes a spectrum of potentially reversible neuropsychiatric abnormalities seen in a patient with severe liver dysfunction with porto-systemic shunting. Cortical blindness can be a rare presentation of hepatic encephalopathy and can even precede the onset of altered sensorium. We report a case of 57 years female with chronic liver disease who presented with bilateral loss of vision, with no focal neurological deficits. From clinical and laboratory examination, a diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy with cortical blindness was proposed. Her visual disturbances gradually improved with the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
Keywords: Cortical blindness; end stage liver disease; hepatic encephalopathy; papilledema.