Hepatic encephalopathy precipitated by fecal impaction.
Two episodes of hepatic encephalopathy developed in a 64-year-old man with cirrhosis during the course of hospitalization. The first event was precipitated by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; the second occurred four weeks later and was associated with a massive fecal impaction, an unreported precipitant. No other potential causes were demonstrated. Symptoms promptly resolved following disimpaction.
D005244:Fecal Impaction / Q000150:complications*; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged