[Hyperammonemic encephalopathy as the presenting feature of a relapsing multiple myeloma]

Abstract

Introduction: Hyperammonemia attributed to multiple myeloma has been rarely reported.

Case report: We report a 63-year-old man who was admitted to an intensive care unit for confusion and altered mental status progressing to coma that was related to a relapsing multiple myeloma. Chemotherapy allowed the reduction of serum ammonia and the return to a normal state of consciousness.

Conclusion: Hyperammonemic encephalopathy is a rare complication of multiple myeloma and is associated with high in-patient mortality. To our knowledge, this is the first case of hyperammonemic encephalopathy due to a relapsing myeloma diagnosed and treated in intensive care unit.

Keywords: Ammonia; Ammoniémie; Encéphalopathie hyperammoniémique; Hyperammonemic encephalopathy; Multiple myeloma; Myélome.