Method for Measuring Cerebral Dysfunction in Patients with Liver Disease

Abstract

Objective tests of cerebral function were undertaken in 64 outpatients after portal decompression for intrahepatic portal hypertension. These involved scoring the errors in constructing a five-pointed star, and a simple modification of the Reitan trail making test. The first test was found to be less discriminating than the second. There was some correlation between the results and the presence or absence of overt encephalopathy, which—though generally mild—was present in 30 (47%) of the 64 patients. © 1970, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.