In a group of 15 patients with portal systemic encephalopathy (PSE) associated with cirrhosis of the liver with portal hypertension and spontaneous systemic shunt of the portal circulation the authors administered Lactitol (Importal, powder à 10 g Zyma), in amounts up to 40 g/day for a period of 56 days. In the course of treatment every patient was repeatedly examined before the onset of treatment and three times during treatment. The grade of PSE was assessed on the basis of the score of the neuropsychiatric examination from which the PSE index was worked out. In the investigated group of patients with PSE the authors found a significant improvement of the PSE index during treatment with Importal Zyma. The mental condition of the patients improved, the NCT period was reduced, asterixis receded, on the EEG the delta and theta activity receded and normal alpha activity developed. The serum ammonia levels declined but did not reach statistical significance. During treatment the authors did not record changes of normal values of glucose, sodium and potassium in serum and did not detect any adverse side effects. Based on the assembled results the authors conclude that lactitol treatment extends possibilities of PSE treatment.

Keywords: Adult; Aged; Female; Hepatic Encephalopathy /diagnosis/; Humans; Hypertension, Portal /complications/; Liver Cirrhosis /complications/; Male; Middle Aged; Powders; Sugar Alcohols /administration & dosage/