Alcoholic Liver Disease Flashcards
what is it
fatty, hepatitis and cirrhotic change occurring in liver as result of alcohol abuse
what happens after 2-3 days of drinking
fatty liver
reversible
fat vacuoles appear (steatosis)
what happens after 4-6 weeks of drinking
hepatitis
reversible
hepatocyte necrosis, neutrophils
what happens after months-years of drinking
fibrosis
irreversible
collagen
what happens after years of drinking
cirrhosis
irreversible
masons trichrome
whats massons trichrome
defined bands of fibrosis separating regenerative nodules
what are symptoms
jaundice steatorrhoea nausea vomiting ascites hepatosplenomegaly spider naevi, caput medusa etc
how is it diagnosed
detailed drinking history possibly low albumin LFTs particularly increased AFT and GGT raised serum ferritin US/CT show fatty infiltration
what is treatment
cessation of alcohol intake
diazepam for withdrawal symptoms
what are complications
cirrhosis
portal hypertension - varices, ascites
malnutrition
hepatocellular carcinoma