Malnutrition-related hyperammonemic encephalopathy presenting with burst suppression: a case report.

Nonhepatic hyperammonemia is a rare and potentially reversible cause of encephalopathy. Ammonia level measurement should be part of the diagnostic workup in patients with unexplained coma, particularly in the setting of nutritional deficiencies or nutritional supply. Detection of diffuse and nonspecific mild to moderate slowing of cerebral activity (theta-delta ranges) on electroencephalography is common. In contrast, to the best of our knowledge, burst suppression has never been described in association with hyperammonemia.