Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
05:26
Postconditioning with Lactate-enriched Blood for Cardioprotection in ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Published on: May 28, 2019
9.6K
[Recurrent encephalopathy after small bowel resection. Implication of D-lactate]
P H Lalive1, A Hadengue, N Mensi
1Clinique et Policlinique de Neurologie, Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire de Genève, Suisse. Patrice.Lalive@hcuge.ch
Revue Neurologique
|July 18, 2001
Summary
Recurrent confusion can stem from D-lactate encephalopathy, a rare condition often seen after intestinal surgery. Antibiotic treatment resolved symptoms in a patient with elevated D-lactate levels.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Recurrent confusion typically arises from transient brain dysfunction (vascular, epileptic, metabolic).
- Post-intestinal surgery patients may present with complex neurological symptoms.
Observation:
- A 54-year-old patient experienced recurrent confusional episodes post-small intestine surgery.
- Symptoms included encephalopathy, ataxia, nystagmus, and dysarthria.
- Metabolic changes observed were acidosis with increased anion gap and elevated D-lactate.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms resolved following antibiotic treatment.
- Elevated blood D-lactate levels were a key metabolic finding.
- This case highlights D-lactate encephalopathy as a cause of recurrent confusion.
Implications:
- D-lactate encephalopathy should be considered in patients with recurrent confusion and specific clinical signs, especially post-abdominal surgery.
- Diagnosis relies on identifying characteristic clinical and metabolic abnormalities.
- Understanding the mechanisms of D-lactate accumulation is crucial for effective management.
