8. LIVER Flashcards
what is wernickes korsakoff syndrome and what r the 2 main associations
neurological disorder due lack of thiamine (vitamin B1) and alcohol abuse
what are the three methods that alcohol exacerbates wernicke Korsikoff syndrome (3)
exacerbated by alcohol intake as alcohol reduces thiamine absorption in body, increases thiamine excretion and inhibits the enzyme that activates thiamine
what r the two stages of WK syndrome
1.Wernicke’s encaphalopathy
2. Korsakoff syndrome:
what is wernickes encaphalopathy, why and what does this cause
initial inflammation of brain due to thiamine deficiency
temporary damage to thalamus and hypothalamus
what is korsakoff syndrome and what does this cause
progression of Wernicke’s (long term condition)
permanent damage to the brain- particularly to memory
what is thiamine needed for in the body and what does it do in the body
thiamine is essential for normal brain and muscle function by converting carbohydrates into energy for the CNS/ muscles
what is a consequence of thiamine deficiency and what can this lead to
build up of pyretic acid in the bloodstream which contributes to a loss of mental alertness called dry beriberi
causes of WK syndrome (3)
mainly alcohol abuse
lack of thiamine in diet (eg crohns)
anorexia
signs of WK syndrome (5)
-ataxia (lack of muscle co-ordination)
-nystagmus (lack of eye muscle co-ordination)
-ptosis
-mental confusion
-memory loss (confabulational)
miss polly needs a molly
3 investigations for WK syndrome and results (2, 2, 1)
bloods: low serum B1, high pyruvate levels
blood arterial gas: rule out hypoxia and ketoacidosis
MRI: brain imaging
how is WK syndrome diagnosed (2)
diagnosis based on history and clinical examination
treatment (1) for WK syndrome and when is this given (1)
oral or paraenteral thiamine
given on suspicion of condition
differentials for WK syndrome (3)
alcoholic ketoacidoosis
chronic hypoxia
hepatic encephalopathy
what is gilberts syndrome
body unable to process bilirubin fast enough
what type of inheritence is gilberts
autosomal recessive
what is gilberts syndrome the main cause of
hereditary jaundice
what can trigger gilberts syndrome episodes (4)
dehydration
fasting
excess alcohol
hepatitis
risk factors for gilberts 2
T1DM
male
explain the pathophysiology of gilberts starting with the mutation and what does it cause
- mutation in UGT1A1 gene which removes instructions to make bilirubin UGT enzyme which is essential in removal of bilirubin from body
- this build up levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood,
- causing mild jaundice
how is gilberts syndrome usually discovered
incidentally on tests
what is the proportion of asymptomatics in gilberts syndrome
30% of people with gilbert’s r asymptomatic
symptoms of gilberts (2) and what pattern do they appear in
slight yellowing due to mild jaundice- often see in eyes
dark urine
symptoms come in short episodes and fully resolve
what is crigler najjar and what symptoms does it involve (4)
more severe version of Gilbert’s-
involves nausea, vomiting, fatigue and abdominal pain
investigations for gilberts (3)
blood test
liver function test
sometimes a genetic test is required to confirm Gilbert’s syndrome