Cirrhosis and Liver fibrosis Flashcards
Histologically, how can we see irreversible liver damage
Loss of normal hepatic architecture with bridging fibrosis and nodular regeneration
Main causes of irreversible liver damage
- Chronic alcohol abuse
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Hep B + D
- Hep C
What is Wilson’s disease
Copper build up in the body - causes liver disease
What diseases can cause liver damage
- Autoimmune hep
- Alpha-antitryspin deficiency
- Hereditary haemochromatosis
Risk factors for liver damage
Alcohol use
How does liver injury result in irreversible liver damage
- Chronic injury causes inflammation, matrix deposition, necrosis and angiogenesis -> fibrosis
- Liver injury causes necrosis + apoptosis releasing cell contents and ROS
- Activates hepatic stellate cells + kupffer cells
- Kupffer cells phagocytose necrotic and apoptotic cells + secrete inflammatory mediators
- Increased myofibroblasts leads to progressive collagen matrix deposition resulting in fibrosis and scar accumulation in the liver
- Severe reduction liver function
Name two inflammatory mediators
TGF-beta
PDGF
Role of TGF-beta
Transdifferentiation of stellate cells to myofibroblasts
Role of PDGF
Stimulates myofibroblast proliferation
What happens to the liver if fibrosis is eliminated
Liver can recover
In cirrhosis, can regression occur
Yes
What are characteristic features of cirrhosis
Regenerating nodules separated by fibrous septa + loss of lobular architecture within nodules
What two types of cirrhosis are there
Micro nodular
Macro nodular
What is micro nodular cirrhosis
Regenerating nodules are less than 3mm in size
What is micro nodular cirrhosis caused by
Alcohol + biliary treat disease
What is macro nodular cirrhosis
Nodules are of varying size and normal acini may be seen within the larger nodules
What is macro nodular cirrhosis caused by
Chronic viral hepatitis
Clinical presentation of cirrhosis
- Leuconychia
- Clubbing
- Palmar erythema
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- Spider nave
- Xanthelasma
- Hepatomegaly
- Bruising
- Ankle swelling + oedema
- Abdominal pain due to ascites
What is Xanthelasma
Yellow fat deposits under the skin usually around the eyelids
What is leuconychia
White discolourations on nails due to hypoalbuminaemia
How is cirrhosis diagnosed
- Ascites, encephalopathy
- HIGH bilirubin
- LOW albumin
- LONG PTT (1-3 and added up to give score)
- Liver biopsy (main way - confirms diagnosis + severity)
- Raised AST and ALT
- Low Na
- Raised serum creatine
What child-pugs classification is gives best prognosis
<7
What child-pughs classification is a sign of BAD prognosis
> 10
What is the risk at >8
Risk of vatical bleeding
Presence of alpha-fetoprotein indicates what
HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA
How does an Ultrasound help in cirrhosis diagnosis
- Shows change in size + shape of the liver - hepatomegaly
- Shows modularity of liver and distortion of arterial vascular architecture
HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA
What can a CT show for cirrhosis
- Hepatosplenomegaly
2. HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA
What can an MRI show for cirrhosis
Detects tumours
What can an endoscopy show for cirrhosis
Detection of varies and portal hypertensive gastropathy
Complications of cirrhossi
- Fall in clotting factors
- Encephalopathy + confusion
- Hypoalbuminaemia (oedema)
- Portal hypertension