Author information

• ¹Brain Liver Salpêtrière Study Group, Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine & Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris 75013, France; AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, Liver Intensive Care Unit, Hepatogastroenterology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris 75013, France.
• ²Brain Liver Salpêtrière Study Group, Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine & Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris 75013, France; AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, Neurological Intensive Care Unit, Neurology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris 75013, France; Sorbonne Université, Paris F-75005, France.
• ³Brain Liver Salpêtrière Study Group, Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine & Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris 75013, France; AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, Liver Intensive Care Unit, Hepatogastroenterology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris 75013, France; Sorbonne Université, Paris F-75005, France. Electronic address: dominique.thabut@aphp.fr.

Abstract

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a severe complication of cirrhosis. The prevalence of overt HE (OHE) ranges from 30% to 45%, whereas the prevalence of minimal HE (MHE) is as high as 85% in some case series. Widespread use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt to control complications related to portal hypertension is associated with an increase in HE incidence. If the diagnosis of OHE remains simple in most cases, then the diagnosis of MHE is less codified because of many differential diagnoses with different therapeutic implications. This review analyzes current knowledge about the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and different therapeutic options of HE.