The hunter and the pianist: two hepatic encephalopathy tales

J Clin Gastroenterol. 2011 Jul;45(6):563-6. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181eab73e.

Abstract

Details of 2 patients with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy whose hobby or job were possibly responsible for a selectively enhanced performance in 1 neuropsychiatric test are reported. Clinicians should be alert to the fact that personal inclinations and habits may impinge on both neuropsychological and psychophysic performance, thus producing a mismatch between the results of different mental status tests. A prospective study with accurate history taking, use of comprehensive assessment protocols, and modeling/critical interpretation of the test results is required to confirm this hypothesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Flicker Fusion
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / complications
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / physiopathology*
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Music
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Psychometrics / methods*
  • Recreation
  • Severity of Illness Index