Hepatic encephalopathy--a physostigmine-reactive central anticholinergic syndrome?

This report describes an association between hepatic encephalopathy and central anticholinergic syndrome (CAS). A 60-year-old anaemic woman was admitted unconscious and with a delayed reaction to pain but with no focal neurological deficits. She had signs of portal hypertension and a history of non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis grade Child B. Suspecting upper gastro-intestinal bleeding, she was intubated for gastro-duodenoscopy and a fibrin-covered ulcer was revealed. Raised intra-abdominal pressure resulting from ascites caused cardiopulmonary failure, which required mechanical ventilation for 24 h, but extubation was possible after drainage of the ascites and blood volume replacement therapy. However, her neurological state remained unchanged despite normal blood ammonia concentration and no sedation. CAS was considered and physostigmine injected with immediate effect. The patient opened her eyes immediately and was fully orientated to personal and medical history. We suggest that hepatic encephalopathy may trigger CAS, although the significance of physostigmine in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy remains to be addressed by controlled investigations.