Abdominal Examination

Question 1

What are the indications for liver transplant?

Answer 1

Extrahepatic biliary atresia
Inborn errors of metabolism
Acute hepatic necrosis
Cirrhosis
Cholestatic liver disease
Malignancy

Question 2

What medications can be used in a failing liver before the transplant?

Answer 2

Vitamin K, A, C, and E

Ursodeoxycholic acid

Question 3

Post liver transplant, you can be on Tacrolimus, what side effect can that cause?

Answer 3

Itchiness which can cause redness

Question 4

Summarise your findings in this patient with liver transplant.

Answer 4

This is Jennifer, she is a 16 year old girl.
I have examined her abdominal system today
On general inspection, quite well grown for her age, but will need to plot her height and weight on an appropriate growth chart.
My positive findings were:
- multiple scars consistent with multiple cannula attempts on her hands
- scars from previous central lines in her neck
- large transverse abdominal scar possibly consistent with a liver transplant
- soft mass underneath her scar on the left hand side which is present intermittently, this could be an incisional hernia
- slightly erythematous lesions on her skin possibly due to itching secondary to tacrolimus
Of note
- no signs of chronic liver disease like clubbing and palmar erythema