Propranolol-induced hallucinations mimicking encephalopathy in a patient with liver cirrhosis

• Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a frequent complication of liver cirrhosis, which is mostly characterized by psychomotor slowing. However, psychotic symptoms such as visual and olfactory hallucinations may sometimes also be present. In contrast, auditory hallucinations are uncommon in chronic liver disease. In this case report, we present a patient with liver cirrhosis due to excessive alcohol consumption who presented to the emergency department with disorientation and signs of infection. Initial assessment led to the diagnosis acute on chronic liver failure exacerbated by infection leading to encephalopathy. The patient was admitted and successfully treated with antibiotics, Lactulose and Rifaximin. Gastroscopy showed varices without bleeding stigmata and Propranolol 20 mg was initiated as primary prophylaxis. Upon follow-up, the patient was clinically stable but had developed visual and auditory hallucinations which raised the suspicion that HE was not the cause. CT scan of the brain was unremarkable and the hallucinations were considered to be caused by Propranolol and disappeared shortly after switching to Carvedilol.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Gastroenterologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Gastroenterology and Hepatology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Hepatic encephalopathy

hallucinations

propranolol

cirrhosis

hepatic-encephalopathy

diagnosis

Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)