Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy: A Complication of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Division

West Florida

Hospital

Medical Center of Trinity

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

8-19-2020

Keywords

hyperammonemia, roux-en-y gastric bypass, blood-bezoar, gastro-gastric fistula, hyperammonemia-encephalopathy, ammonia, astrocyte swelling

Disciplines

Gastroenterology | Internal Medicine | Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases | Surgery

Abstract

Hyperammonemia is a metabolic abnormality characterized by elevated levels of ammonia in the blood. This case report illustrates a 72-year-old Caucasian female with a history of prior gastric bypass surgery done 15 years ago, who was admitted multiple times for acute encephalopathy over the course of a few months. The patient was found to have a gastro-gastric fistula seen on a CT scan of the abdomen, which was the culprit of her acute encephalopathy. The patient underwent fistula closure via esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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