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Progressive Confusion and Recurrent Falls After Bariatric Surgery

Volume 62 - Issue 12 - December 2022

  • A 26-year-old woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with progressive confusion and recurrent falls. The patient reported having vomiting and diarrhea for 1 week and several falls 1 day before her ED visit. She had an uncomplicated laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure 4 months prior. The patient denied history of alcohol consumption.

    Physical examination
    Clinical examination revealed the patient was somewhat combative and somnolent, with a Glasgow Coma Score of 13 and an ataxic gait. Upon cranial nerve examination, the patient demonstrated mild restrictive eye movements without conjugate disturbance.

    Diagnostic testing
    Routine laboratory testing showed an anion-gapped metabolic acidosis. Toxicity workup for acetaminophen, salicylate, and alcohol was negative; a volatile alcohol panel was also negative. Serum osmolality and ammonia levels were within normal limits. Liver function testing showed transaminitis, with an ALT level of 518 U/L and AST level of 233 U/L. A noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scan of the head was unremarkable. A subsequent lumbar puncture showed no evidence of meningitis. The patient was subsequently admitted to the hospital with neurology consultation.

References

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