Abdomen Flashcards
General inspection findings in chronic liver disease?
- Jaundice
- Bruising (thrombocytopenia)
- Scratch marks (pruritus)
Hand findings in chronic liver disease?
Asterixis
Clubbing
Dupuytren’s contracture
Palmar erythema
Leukonychia (white spots due to hypoalbuminaemia)
Terry nails secondary to hypoalbuminaemia
- causes: Liver cirrhosis, CKD, Heart failure, protein-losing enteropathy, iron deficiency anaemia
Face findings in chronic liver disease?
- Scleral icterus
- Parotid enlargement (2’ alcoholism)
Chest findings in chronic liver disease?
- Gynaecomastia
- Spider naevi (5 or >)
- Scanty axillary hair
Why does gynaecomastia occur in liver disease or cirrhosis?
- increased production of androstenedione by adrenal glands
- increased aromatisation of androstenedione -> oestrogens
- loss of clearance of adrenal androgens by the liver
- rise in SHBG
Leukonychia
Abdominal findings in chronic liver disease?
Hepatomegaly (may be small in advanced cirrhosis)
Splenomegaly 2’ portal hypertension
Kidneys not ballotable
Shifting dullness +ve (ascites)
Caput medusae 2’ portal hypertension
Lower limb findings in chronic liver disease?
bilateral oedema (2’ hypoalbuminaemia)
After abdominal examination in chronic liver disease, how to complete examination?
- examine genitalia for testicular atrophy (in males)
- perform a DRE
- examine cervical and inguinal lymph nodes
- look at vital signs including temperature
- take a full history (including history of ethanol ingestion, hep B/C infection)
- take a drug history (drug causes: methotrexate, amiodarone, methyldopa)
Complications of chronic liver disease?
(A) portal hypertension: splenomegaly, ascites, varices
(B) hypoalbuminaemia: leukonychia, pitting oedema
(C) coagulopathy
(D) hepatic encephalopathy
(E) SBP: tender abdomen
(F) HCC: lymphadenopathy, cachexia
(G) Hepatorenal syndrome
Important negatives to present in chronic liver disease patient?
no evidence of:
- hepatic encephalopathy: coherent with no asterixis
- SBP: non tender abdomen, afebrile
- HCC/ mets: no lymphadenopathy
Examination findings for chronic liver disease to suggest hep C/B?
Tattoos
Needle track marks e.g. IVDU
Examination findings in chronic liver disease patient suggesting alcoholism as cause?
- Dupuytrens contractures
- Parotidomegaly
- Rhinophyma
Examination findings in chronic liver disease patient suggesting Wilson’s disease as cause?
Kayser Fleischer rings
Chorea-athetoid movements
Kayser-Fleischer rings
in Wilson’s disease
Aetiology of chronic liver disease?
- Alcohol
- Hep B/ C
- NAFLD
Inherited:
4. Wilson’s disease
5. Hereditary haemochromatosis (AR)
6. alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Autoimmune
7. Autoimmune hepatitis
8. PBC
- Drug induced
- Cryptogenic
Aetiology of chronic liver disease?
- Alcohol
- Hep B/ C
- NAFLD
Inherited:
4. Wilson’s disease
5. Hereditary haemochromatosis (AR)
6. alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Autoimmune
7. Autoimmune hepatitis
8. PBC
- Drug induced
- Cryptogenic
Causes of decompensated liver cirrhosis?
infection
bleeding GI tract
dehydration
electrolyte imbalance e.g. hypoNa
drugs: diuretics, barbiturates
constipation
investigations in chronic liver disease?
FBC: macrocytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia
Renal panel
LFT: albumin, bilirubin, transaminitis
Coagulation profile INR
Imaging
US HBS: to confirm cirrhosis, evaluate for splenomegaly, ascites or elevated portal pressures
Determine aetiology:
Hep B/ C screen
Autoimmune workup
Serum caeruloplasmin
Surveillance/ evaluate for complications:
Endoscopic evaluation for varices
US HBS for suspicious nodules + AFP -> KIV triphasic CT liver/ MRI liver or biopsy
Management of chronic liver disease?
Treat underlying cause: e.g. Stop drinking
Hep A and B vaccinations
Prevent constipation and decompensation: lactulose
B blockers for varices: carvedilol
Treatment of Hepatitis B
Entecavir, lamivudine, adefovir
Treatment of Hepatitis C
Ribavarin (oral antiviral 500mg BD) + pegylated alpha IFN (180mcg sc weekly)
- 24 or 48 week course
Treatment of autoimmune hepatitis
steroids, azathioprine