Gastro Flashcards
Which liver zone is most susceptible to ischaemia and which to viral hepatitis?
Zone 1 = viral hepatitis
Zone 3 = Alcohol, ischaemia =
Differentiate between acute and chronic hepatitis?
Acute = parenchymal liver damage caused by poison, viral, non-viral, drugs, alcohol Chronic = lasting > 6 months caused by autoimmune, drugs, viral (commonest), hereditary
Define Autoimmune Hepatitis
Chronic Hepatitis w autoimmune features: auto-antibodies, hyperglobulinaemia
2 causes of AIH
- Genetics
2. Decrease regulatory T cell function
Explain genetics
Susceptible individuals express antigens following environmental stimulus –> T cell mediated autoimmune attack against hepatocytes –> necroinflammation –> fibrosis –> cirrhosis
Define 3 features of type I AIH
ANA, anti-actin, anti-SLA
1 feature of Type II AIH
anti-liver/kidney microsomal Ab (anti-LKM)
Type I or Type II AIH more prevalent? and which gender group more likely?
Type I and mostly young women
Define alcoholic hepatitis
inflammatory liver injury caused by heavy alcohol intake
Different name for Zone 3?
Centrilobular
Describe progression of alcoholic hep from fatty change to alcoholic cirrhosis
1 it causes reversible steatosis of hepatocytes which increases with heavy alcohol use however is reversible –> this does not cause liver dmg itself
2 it causes perivenular fibrosis by converting stellate cells into collagen producing myofibroblast cells
3 fibrosis causes inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis) which causes infiltration by polymorphonuclear leucocytes at zone 3 and hepatic necrosis. Histopathology is characterised by Mallory bodies + giant mitochondria
4 eventually alcoholic hepatitis can progress to alcoholic cirrhosis
Presentation of a patient suffering from alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD)
Usually asymptomatic and no signs
Presentation of a patient suffering from alcoholic hep?
Can be from asymptomatic to severe
What will the FBC show in a person with alcoholic hepatitis?
v Hb, v Platelets ^ MCV, ^ WCC LFTs: ^ALT, ^AST, ^ALP, ^ GGT ^bilirubin ^PT time, v albumin v urea, and v K+
3 complications of alcoholic liver disease (hepatitis)
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Hepatorenal Syndrome
- Acute Liver Failure
- Cirrhosis
Name the RFs for NAFLD?
Metabolic syndrome basically so: HTN TIIDM Hyperlipidaemia Obesity Soft drinks - increased lvls of sugar in such drinks can cause central fat deposition
Management of NAFLD?
- there is no pharmacological agent specifically for the disease however we can use pharmacological agents to control the metabolic components/ risk factors
2 Control RFs = Control Progression - Bariatric Surgery may help (particularly to control obesity - help with weight loss)
- Regular follow up
Define biliary colic and explain its difference with acute cholecystitis?
Biliary colic is the term used to describe the pain associated with temporary obstruction of the cystic or common bile duct by a stone usually migrating from the GB.
Acute cholecystitis is a complication of biliary colic in which there is inflammation of the gallbladder following GB distention as a result of increased glandular secretion –> progressive GB distention –> inflammation –> 2ndary infection. The main difference is the inflammatory component present in acute cholecystitis (elevated WCC, fever, local peritonism) and the absence of these in biliary colic.