Unusual Causes of Hyperammonemia in the ED
Journal
American Journal of Emergency Medicine
Journal Volume
22
Journal Issue
2
Pages
105-107
Date Issued
2004
Author(s)
Abstract
Plasma ammonia measurement is a simple yet important screening in the ED for patients with unexplained stupor or delirium. Acute hyperammonemia is a medical emergency for which immediate steps must be taken to minimize permanent brain damage. Although the most common causes of hyperammonemia are severe abnormal liver function, the absence of liver disease in some cases has been observed. This brief report describes four hyperammonemia cases with normal liver function in the ED. On careful history and speculated examinations, ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OTC) deficiency, hematologic malignancy, and the side effects of valproic acid and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were considered. Therapy was first aimed at correcting the hyperammonemia. Once a specific diagnosis was reached, protein restriction, essential amino acid supplementation, efficient chemotherapy, and valproic acid and 5-FU level discontinuance were instituted. In this report, the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and diagnostic workup for various hyperammonemia causes are discussed. Every EP should understand that the clinical symptoms for hyperammonemia and prognosis are related to early diagnosis. ? 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
SDGs
Other Subjects
amino acid; ammonia; benzoic acid; dexamethasone; doxorubicin; enema; fluorouracil; folinic acid; lactulose; melphalan; ornithine decarboxylase; orotic acid; orotidine; phenobarbital; phenylacetate sodium; phenylacetic acid; prednisolone; unclassified drug; valproic acid; vincristine; adult; aged; ammonia blood level; article; brain disease; brain injury; case report; complex partial seizure; confusion; delirium; diet supplementation; disorientation; early diagnosis; emergency ward; enzyme deficiency; female; grand mal seizure; hematologic malignancy; human; hyperammonemia; liver function; male; multiple myeloma; neurotoxicity; pathogenesis; priority journal; prognosis; protein restriction; stomach cancer; stupor; symptom
Type
journal article