Skip to main content

Dialysis encephalopathy

  • Chapter
Living with renal failure

Abstract

Efficient dialysis brings about a rapid reversal of the neurological syndromes seen with ‘end-stage uraemia’. Sensorial clouding, perceptual errors, hallucinations, asterixis, myoclonus, focal and grand mal seizures, decerebrate and decorticate postures are all improved by adequate haemo-dialysis (see Raskin and Fisherman for review)1,2. However patients whose lives have been prolonged by intermittent dialysis may develop other encephalopathic features. Before discussing ‘dialysis encephalopathy’ the differential diagnosis must be considered.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Raskin, M. M. and Fishman, A. R. (1976). Neurological disorders in renal failure (Part I). N. Engl. J. Med., 294, 3, 143

    Google Scholar 

  2. Raskin, M. M. and Fishman, A. R. (1976). Neurological disorders in renal failure (Part II). N. Engl. J. Med., 294

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kerr, D. N. S., Dettli, L., Rawlins, M., Leber, H. W. and Maddocks, J. (1976). Drug metabolism in uraemic renal failure. Proc. ED.TA., 13, 597 (London: Pitman Medical)

    Google Scholar 

  4. McCelland, M. A. (1977). Psychiatric Disorders. In O. M. Davis (ed.). Textbook of Adverse Drug Reactions, pp. 335–349 (Oxford: Oxford University Press)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Taclob, L. and Needle, M. (1976). Drug induced encephalopathy in patients on maintenance haemodialysis. Lancet, ii, 704

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Leonard, A. and Shapiro, F. L. (1975). Subdural haematoma in regularly haemodialysed patients. Ann. Intern. Med., 82, 650

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Arieff, A. Z., Massiz, S. G. and Bonientos, A. (1973). Brain water and electrolyte metabolism in uraemia, effects of slow and rapid haemodialysis. Kidney Int., 4, 177

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lopez, R. I. and Collins, G. K. (1968). Wernicke’s encephalopathy: a complication of chronic haemodialysis. Arch. Neurol., 18, 248

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Lyle, H. I., Payton, J. E. and Hui, M. (1976). Haemodialysis and copper fever. Lancet, i, 1324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Alfrey, A. C., Mischell, J. M., Barks, J. S., Coniguglia, S. R., Rudolph, M., Lewine E. and Holmes, J. M. (1977). Syndrome of praxia and multifocal seizures associated with haemodialysis. Trans. Am. Soc. Artif. Intern. Organs, 18, 257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Barks, J. S., Alfrey, A. C., Huddlestone, J., Norenberg, M. D. and Lewine, E. (1976). A fatal encephalopathy in chronic haemdialysis patients, Lancet, ii, 764

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Barratt, L. J. and Lawrence, J. R. (1975). Dialysis associated dementia. Aust. N. Z. J. Med., 5, 62

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Mahurkar, S. D., Dhar, S. R., Saltra, R., Meyers, L., Smith, E. C. and Dunea, G. (1973). Dialysis dementia, Lancet, 1, 1412

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Chokroverty, S., Bruetman, M. E., Berger, V. and Reyes, M. G. (1976). Progressive dialytic encephalopathy. J. Neurol., Neurosurg. Psychiat., 39, 411

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Nodel, A. M., Wilson, W. P. (1976). Dialysis encephalopathy: a possible seizure disorder. Neurology, 26, 1130

    Google Scholar 

  16. Ward, M. K., Pierides, A. M., Fawcett, P., Shaw, D. A., Perry, A. M., Tomlinson, B. E. and Kerr, D. N. S. (1976). Dialysis encephalopathy syndrome. Proc. E.D.TA., 13, 348 (London: Pitman Medical)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Platts, M. M., Moorehead, P. J. and Greech (1973). Dialysis dementia. Lancet, ii, 159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Flendrig, J. A., Krus, H. and Das, H. A. (1976). Aluminium intoxication: the cause of dialysis dementia? Proc. E.D.TA., 13, 355 (London: Pitman Medical)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Alfrey, A. C., Le Grendrere, G. R. and Kaehny, W. P. (1976). The dialysis encephalopathy syndrome. N. Engl. J. Med., 294, 184

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Silke, B., Fitzgerald, G. R., Hanson, S., Carmody, M. and O’Dwyer, W. F. (1977). Treatment of dialysis dementia by renal transplantation, Abstract E.D.TA., Helsinki, p. 266

    Google Scholar 

  21. Ball, J. M., Barkas, D. E. and Madison, D. S. (1977). Effect of subtotal parathyroidectomy on dialysis dementia. Nephron, 18, 151

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Sorenson, J. R. J., Campbell, R. I., Tepper, L. B. and Limgg, R. D. (1974). Aluminium in the environment and human health. Environ. Hlth Perspect., 8, 3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Jordan, J. W. (1961). Pulmonary fibrosis in a worker using aluminium powder, Br. J. Indust. Med., 18, 21.

    Google Scholar 

  24. McLaughlin, A. F. G., Kazantizis, G., King, E., Teare, D., Porter, R. J. and Owen, R. (1962). Pulmonary fibrosis and encephalopathy associated with inhalation of aluminium dust. Br. J. Indust. Med., 19, 253

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Ondreicka, R., Kortus, J. and Ginter, E. (1971). Aluminium: its absorption, distribution and effects on phosphorous metabolism. In S. C. Skorgra and D. Waldron-Edward (eds.). Intestinal Absorption of Metal Ions, Trace Elements and Radio Nuclides, p. 293 (Oxford: Pergamon Press)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Faeth, W. M. (1955). Threshold studies on production of experimental epilepsy with alumina cream. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 88, 329

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Clarkson, E. M., Lucks, V. A., Hynson, W. V., Bailey, R. R., Eastwood, J. B., Woodhead, J. S., Clements, V. R., O’Riordan, L. H. and De Warden, H. E. (1972). The effect of aluminium hydroxide on calcium, phosphorous and aluminium balances, the serum parathyroid hormone concentration and the aluminium content of bone in patients with chronic renal failure. Clin. Sci., 43, 519

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Kaehny, W. D., Hegg, A. P. and Alfrey, A. C. (1977). Gastrointestinal absorption of aluminium from aluminium containing antacids. N. Engl. J. Med., 296, 1389

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Jacobs, C., Brunner, F. P., Chantier, C., Donckerwolcke, R. A., Gurland, H. J., Hathway, R. A., Selwood, N. H. and Wing, A. J. (1977). Combined report on intermittent dialysis and renal transplantation in Europe, VII, 1976. Proc. E.D.TA., 14, 3. (London: Pitman)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Ellis, H. A. and Peart, K. M. (1973). Azotaemia renal osteodystrophy: a quantitative study on iliac bone. J. Clin. Pathol, 26, 83

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Alfrey, A. C., Smythe, W. R., Ibels, I. S. and Mannelly, L. L. (1976). Trace element abnormalities in chronic uraemia. Second Annual Progress Report (University of Colorado)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Parsons, V., Davis, C., Goode, C., Ogg, C. and Siddiqui, J. (1971). The aluminium content of bone in patients on haemodialysis. Br. Med. J., 4, 273

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Ward, M. K. (1977). Survey of United Kingdom Dialysis Units. (In preparation)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Scientific Services of the United Kingdom Water Authorities

    Google Scholar 

  35. Strong, A., Ward, M. K., Parkinson, I. and the Scientific Services (Wear Division), Northumbria Water Authority. (In preparation)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Posen, G. A., Gray, D. G., Jaworsky, R., Couture, R. and Rashid, A. (1972). Comparison of renal osteodystrophy in patients dialysed with deionised and non-deionised water. Trans. Am. Soc. Artif. Intern. Organs., 18, 405

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Leather, H. (1975). Dialysis bone disease in Plymouth. Presented at Dialysis Symposium 1975 (Elga Publication)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Kerr, D. N. S. (1977). Renal osteodystrophy (The Osmond Lecture). Presented at the Renal Association

    Google Scholar 

  39. Cartier, F., Allain, P., Peckers, G. J. and Garre, M. (1977). Comparative study of patients with and without encephalopathy syndrome, Abstract E.D.TA., Helsinki, p. 186

    Google Scholar 

  40. Ward, M.K. (1976). Unpublished observation

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1978 MTP Press Limited

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ward, M.K., Feest, T.G. (1978). Dialysis encephalopathy. In: Anderton, J.L., Parsons, F.M., Jones, D.E. (eds) Living with renal failure. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6185-5_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6185-5_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-6187-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-6185-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics