[The concept of encephalopathies -- paper for discussion]

The term "encephalopathy" has not yet been strictly defined. In textbooks about 20 adjectives can be found in connection with this term. All encephalopathies have certain features in common: 1. the cause of brain damage is known, 2. the neurological syndrome is diffuse or disseminated, 3. there is the syndrome of organic brain damage (most frequently with dementia). Encephalopathies can be divided into congenital and acquired. Congenital ones are: encephalopathy following perinatal injury or fetal infection. Acquired: post-traumatic, toxic, vascular (hypertensive and atherosclerotic), metabolic, postinflammatory. On the basis of analysis of clinical findings and causes the conclusion may be reached that encephalopathy is a sequela of diffuse organic brain damage, that is, it is a "status post...", but this excludes certain encephalopathies recognize as yet (hypertensive encephalopathy). In medical expertise more precise diagnosis should be required, especially for post-traumatic encephalopathy.