What Is Fetor Hepaticus?

Fetor hepaticus is  the fecal smell or the breath similar to that of a freshly opened corpse  that is found in patients of extensive liver damage.

Mechanism

Normal demethylating process do not occur after liver is damaged extensively. Hence, methionine is converted to methyl mercaptan which gives the typical smell.

Causes

1. Acute liver cell disease: Here it is a sign of bad omen and often precedes coma
2. Extensive portal collateral circulation