[Evaluation of hepatic encephalopathy using computerized electroencephalography]

Spectral EEG analysis techniques were used to evaluate the degree of hepatic encephalopathy in a group of 69 cirrhotic patients, as compared to the results obtained in a group of healthy controls. With respect to controls, the cirrhotics had stronger delta and theta bands, and a weaker alpha band, as well as a reaction of the alpha band to opening the eyes. The use of strength ratios between different bands of frequency increments the sensitivity and diagnostic reliability of this technique, particularly the delta/alpha and theta/alpha indices, and permits the detection of cases with subclinical encephalopathy, which is particularly useful for clinical follow-up and for the evaluation of different therapeutic regimens.