A Rare Cause of Recurrent Encephalopathy in a Septuagenarian: A Case Report

The Abernethy malformation is an extremely rare congenital, extrahepatic, portosystemic shunt. There are many problems associated with this abnormal portovenous shunting and subsequent reduced hepatic portal venous flow. With the advances in non-invasive imaging technologies, these cases are diagnosed in more numbers; however, the presentation of patients is varied and the natural history is not completely known. The presenting symptom of the portosystemic shunt is mainly hyperammonemia, leading to encephalopathy. Management varies depending on the type of shunt and its clinical course; hence, the classification of the congenital portosystemic shunt is important in these patients.