Hepatobiliary Flashcards
What are the two types of gallstones?
Cholesterol
Bile pigment
What are risk factors for gallstones?
Increasing age Female FHx DM Multiparity Obesity Rapid weight loss
How do gallstones present?
Biliary colic
N + V
Acute + chronic cholecysitis
Describe biliary colic
Colicky abdominal pain which is worse after eating and after fatty foods. Pain may radiate to the right shoulder.
How do you investigate gallstones?
Bloods: serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferase
Abdo USS
How do you manage gallstones?
Cholecystectomy
IV fluids + Abx
Opiate analgesia
What are some complications of gallstones?
Liver congestion Oesophageal reflux Malabsorption in SI Acute + chronic pancreatitis Digestion issues
What is acute cholecystitis?
Follows impaction of a store in the cystic duct or neck of gallbladder. Obstruction to gallbladder emptying causes increased gallbladder glandular secretion = progressive distension. Compromised blood supply to gallbladder and inflammatory response to bile retained in gallbladder = infection.
Clinical features of acute cholecystitis?
RUQ pain
Fever
Murphy’s sign
Tenderness + guarding
How do you manage acute cholecystitis?
USS
Cholescystectomy within 48hrs
Complications of acute cholecystitis?
Empyema + perforation = peritonitits
What is chronic cholecystitis?
Chronic inflammation of the gallbladder often found in association with gallstones. - usually asymptomatic - chronic EUQ pain - fatty food intolerance USS: small, shrunken gallbladder
What is choledocholithiasis?
Bile duct stones
What is ascending cholangitis?
Infection of the biliary tree and most often occurs secondary to common bile duct obstruction by gallstones.
How does ascending cholangitis present?
Charcot’s triad:
- fever
- jaundice
- RUQ pain
How do you diagnose ascending cholangitis?
Bloods:
- raised neutrophil count, ESR, CRP, serum bilirubin, serum alkaline phosphatase, ALTs and ASTs
Imaging:
- Abdo US (dilatation of common bile duct)
- MRI
- CT scan
How do you treat acute cholangitis?
IV Abx: cefotaxime + metronidazole
Urgent biliary draining with ERCP + sphinctectomy
What is ERCP?
Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography
What are some risk factors for Hep A?
Shellfish, travellers, food handlers
Which hepatitis has a high mortality in pregnancy?
Hep E
Which hepatitis can lead to HCC?
Hep B
What is fulminant hepatitis?
Hepatic failure with encephalopathy. Develops in less than 2 weeks in a pt with a previous normal liver.
Most common causes of fulminant hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis
Paracetamol overdose
What is autoimmune hepatitis?
Immune cells attack hepatocytes. Associated with: - HLA - Hashimoto's thyroiditis - Grave's disease Treated: corticosteroids + azathioprine
What is cirrhosis?
End-stage of all progressive chronic liver disease, once fully developed it is irreversible.
What is a main risk factor for cirrhosis?
Chronic alcohol abuse
What is seen on histology in cirrhosis?
Loss of normal hepatic architecture with riding fibrosis + nodular regeneration.
How does cirrhosis present?
- leuconychia
- clubbing
- palma erythema
- spider naevi
- bruising
- xanthalasma
- hepatomegaly
- loss of body hair
- ankle swelling + oedema
- dupuytren’s contracture
How is cirrhosis diagnosed?
Child-Pugh classification Liver biopsy LFTs Biochemistry US, MRI, Endoscopy
What is the child-pugh classification?
Ascites, encephalopathy, increased bilirubin, decreased albumin, long PTT.
Scored 1-3
<7 is good
>10 is bad
Risk of vatical bleeding is high if >8
Complications of cirrhosis?
Coagulopathy
Encephalopathy
Hypoalbuminaemia
Portal hypertension
How is cirrhosis treated?
Alcohol abstinence Good nutrition Avoid NSAIDs Reduce salt intake USS every 6months Liver transplant
How do drugs impair liver function?
- disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis
- disruption of bile canalicular transport mechanisms
- induction of apoptosis
- inhibition of mitochondrial function
Which drugs impair liver function?
- Abx (augmente, flucloxacillin, TB drugs, erythromycin)
- CNS drugs (chlorpromazine, carbamazepine)
- Immunosupressants
- Analgesia (diclofenac)
- GI drugs (PPIs)
What drugs don’t cause liver injury?
Low dose aspirin NSAIDs BB Ace-i Thiazides CCB
What is a fatal dose of paracetamol?
12g/adult
What happens in paracetamol overdose?
Liver glutathione is depleted so NAPQI can’t be conjugated and deactivated = hepatoxicity and para-induced kidney injury.
Clinical picture of paracetamol overdose?
First 24hrs asymptomatic - RUQ pain Jaundice AKI Metabolic acidosis Hypoglycamia Encephalopathy Rash
How do you treat paracetamol overdose?
IV N-acetylcysteine
Activated charcoal
Chlorphenamine
How do you treat aspirin poisoning?
IV sodium bicarbonate
Haemodialysis
What is ascites?
Accumulation and effusion of free serous fluid within the peritoneal cavity.
What are the causes and RF for ascites?
Causes: local inflammation, low protein, low flow
RF: high sodium diet, hepatocellular carcinoma, portal hypertension
How does ascites present?
Distended abdomen Peripheral oedema Fullness in flanks + shifting dullness Jaundice Mild abdo pain + discomfort Nausea, constipation, cachexia, weight loss
How is ascites diagnosed?
Demonstrate shifting dullness
Diagnostic aspiration of fluid with ascitic tap
What are the types of protein measurement?
Transduate = protein <30g/L
- PHTN, constrictive pericarditis, heart failure, Budd-Chiari syndrome
Exudate = protein >30g/L
- malignant, peritonitis, pancreatitis, nephrotic syndrome,
How do you treat ascites?
Paracentesis (drain fluid)
Shunts (TIPS)
Decrease sodium retention/increase excretion
Diuretic (oral spirolactone)
What is a pre-hepatic cause of portal HTN?
Portal vein thrombosis
What are some intra-hepatic causes of portal HTN?
cirrhosis, fibrosis, schistosomiasis, sarcoidosis
What are some post-hepatic causes of portal HTN?
RH failure, constrictive pericarditis, IVC obstruction
What are common sites for varices?
Gastro-oesophageal junction Rectum Left renal vein Retroperitoneum Diaphragm
How does portal HTN present?
Often asymptomatic Splenomegaly GI bleeding Ascites Hepatic encephalopathy Vatical haemorrhage
How is portal HTN managed?
Measure portal HTN
Treat with TIPS
Propanolol
Salt restriction + diuretics
What is TIPS?
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
What is primary biliary cirrhosis?
Chronic disorder with progressive destruction of small bile ducts leading to cirrhosis.
How does primary biliary cirrhosis present?
PRURITIS Dry eyes Joint pain Vatical bleeding Lethargy + fatigue Jaundice Asymptomatic
How do you diagnose primary biliary cirrhosis?
Raised anti-mitochondrial antibodies
USS
Liver biopsy
How is primary biliary cirrhosis treated?
Ursodeoxycholic acid
ADEK vitamins
Bisphosphonates
To treat pruritus:
- colestyramine, naloxone, naltrexone
What are the 3 clinical syndromes of alcohol liver disease?
- fatty change
- alcoholic hepatitis
- alcoholic cirrhosis
How does alcoholic liver disease present?
Rapid onset jaundice RUQ pain Ascites Nausea Anorexia Hepatic encephalopathy Fever Tender hepatomegaly
What investigations are done for alcoholic liver disease?
FBC - raised WCC, MCV but low platelets Low sodium Raised AST + ALT, bilirubin and GGT Low serum albumin Raised PPT USS liver + biliary
How do you manage alcoholic liver disease?
STOP DRINKING Fluids, painkillers, vitamins Adequate nutritional intake Corticosteroids Pentoxifylline
What is hereditary haemochromatosis?
Autosomal recessive gene. Inherited disorder of iron metabolism where there is increased intestinal iron absorption so iron is deposited in joints liver, heart, pancreas etc. It leads to fibrosis and functional organ failure.
What causes hereditary haemochromatosis?
- HFE gene mutation on chromosome 6
- high intake of iron and chelating agents
- alcoholics may have iron overload
How does hereditary haemochromatosis present?
TRIAD:
- bronze skin pigmentation
- hepatomegaly
- diabetes mellitus
Hypogonadism
Cirrhosis
Joint pain
Dilated cardiomyopathy
How is hereditary haemochromatosis diagnosed?
- raised iron + ferritin
- HFE gene
- MRI (iron overload)
- liver biopsy
- ECH/ECHO
How is hereditary haemochromatosis treated?
Venesection Chelation therapy - desferrioxamine Low iron diet Screening 1st degree relatives Treat any other complications (e.g. diabetes)
What is Wilson’s disease?
Rare inherited disorder of biliary copper excretion with too much copper in the liver and CNS.
- autosomal recessive disorder of gene on Chr 13
- molecular defect within a copper-transporting ATPase
How does Wilson’s disease present?
Children have hepatic problems
- hepatitis, cirrhosis, fulminant liver failure
Young adults have CNS problems
- tremor, dysarthria, dysphagia, dyskinesia, dementia
KAYSER-FLEISCHER RING
What is a Kayser-fleischer ring?
Seen in Wilson’s disease
Copper deposition in corner = greenish-brown pigment at the corneoscleral junction.
How is Wilson’s disease diagnose?
24hr urinary copper excretions = high
Liver biopsy
Low serum copper, low caerulopasmin
MRI: basal ganglia + cerebellar degeneration
How is Wilson’s disease treated?
- Penicillamine (lifelong chelating agent)
- Avoid foods high in copper
- Liver transplant if severe
- Screen siblings
SE of penicillamine?
Skin rash
Low WCC, Hb + platelets
Haematuria
Renal damage
What foods are high in copper?
Liver, chocolate, nuts, mushrooms, shellfish
What is alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency?
Inherited autosomal recessive conformational disease
- alpha-1-antitrypsin gene is located on Chr 14
What is the role of alpha-1-antitrypsin gene?
To inhibit proteolytic enzyme: neutrophil elastase
SO deficiency causes protein retention in liver (cirrhosis + HCC) and emphysema in lung.
How dos alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency present?
Children: Cirrhosis, hepatitis + cholestatic jaundice
Adults: dyspnoea, emphysema
How is alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency diagnosed?
Decreased serum alpha-1-antitrypsin levels
Most symptomatic patients are homozygotes with a PiZZ phenotype
How is alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency treated?
No specific treatment
Treat complications
Stop smoking
What are clinical features of liver failure?
Hepatic encephalopathy Abnormal bleeding Ascites Jaundice Cerebral oedema
What is hepatic encephalopathy?
NH3 builds up in circulation (due to liver failure) which goes to brain and causes brain damage as it is neurotoxic. It stops the Kreb’s cycle so causes irreparable cell damage and neural cell death.
Symptoms:
- confusion, coma, liver flap, drowsiness, cerebral oedema, irritability, constructional apraxia, asterixis
What are the main causes of liver failure?
Virus: Hep ABE, CMV, EBV, HSV HCC Drugs Acute fatty liver of pregnancy Wilsons A1ATD
What investigations are done for liver failure?
Bloods
- hyperbilirubinaemia
- raised ALT + AST
- low coagulation factor, high PTT
- low glucose, high NH3
Imaging
- EEG, US, CXR, Doppler US
Microbiology
How is liver failure treated?
Treat cause IV mannitol for raised ICP IV Vit K IV glucose PPI Liver transplant
What is primary sclerosis cholangitis?
A biliary disease characterised by inflammation and fibrosis of intra and extra-hepatic bile ducts. Leads to strictures +/- gallstones.
What is primary sclerosis cholangitis assoc with?
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s
HIV
How does primary sclerosis cholangitis present?
Prutitis + jaundice
RUQ pain
Fatigue
Rigors
How is primary sclerosis cholangitis investigated?
ERCP
ANCA
MRCP
Liver biopsy
Complications of primary sclerosis cholangitis?
Cholangiocarcnioma
Increased risk of colorectal cancer
How is primary sclerosis cholangitis managed?
Cholestyramine (for pruritis)
Monitor for HCC
What is seen on EEG in hepatic encephalopathy?
Triphasic slow waves
What is the grading used for hepatic encephalopathy?
I - irritable
II - confused, inappropriate behaviour
III - incoherent, restless
IV - coma
How is hepatic encephalopathy managed?
Lactulose
Rifaximin
Neomycin
What is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?
A form of peritonitis usually sen in patients with ascites secondary to liver cirrhosis?
What are the clinical features of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?
Vague Sx Fever Change in mental state Abdo tenderness GI bleeding N + V Chills
How is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis diagnosed?
Paracentesis of ascitic fluid
- neutrophil count >250 cells/ul
How is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis treated?
IV cefotaxime
Abx prophylaxis after 1 ep
Consider liver transplant
What is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
A spectrum of disease:
Steatosis > Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis > progressive disease (fibrosis, cirrhosis)
What are RF for NAFLD?
Obesity Hyperlipidaemia T2DM Jejunoileal bypass Sudden weight loss/starvation
Investigations for NAFLD?
Mx for NAFLD?
Enhanced liver fibrosis blood test (ELF)
Fibroscan
Weight loss
What is Budd-Chiari syndrome?
Hepatic vein thrombosis
Occlusion of the hepatic vein obstructs venous outflow from the liver = stasis and congestion within the liver which leads to hypoxic damage and necrosis of hepatocytes.
What can cause Budd-Chiari syndrome?
Polycythaemia rubra vera Thrombophilia OCP Pregnancy Myeloproliferative disorders Irradiation
Clinical features of Budd-Chiari syndrome?
- RUQ pain (sudden onset + severe)
- ascites
- tender hepatomegaly
- jaundice
Investigations for Budd-Chiari syndrome?
Doppler USS
- abnormal flow in hepatic veins
- thickening, tortuosity + dilatation of hepatic vein walls
Abnormal LFTs
Management for Budd-Chiari syndrome?
TIPS to restore hepatic venous drainage
Anticoagulation + thrombolysis
What is cholangiocarcinoma?
Cancer of biliary tree (in or out of liver)
- slow growing
- mostly distal extra hepatic or perihilar
- 90% ductal adenocarcinoma, 10% SCC
RF for cholangiocarcinoma?
- infestation with parasitic worms
- biliary cysts
- IBD
- HBV, HCV, DM
- primary sclerosis cholangitis
Clinical features of cholangiocarcinoma?
Fever
Abdo pain +/- ascites
Malaise
How is cholangiocarcinoma diagnoes?
High bilirubin + high alkaline phosphate
Contrast MRI
ERCP
Treatment for cholangiocarcinoma?
Complete surgical resection
Stent
Transplant is CI
What is hepatocellular carcinoma?
Cancer of the hepatocytes
RF for HCC?
- male
- HBV/HCV carriers
- cirrhosis (alcohol, NAFLD, haemochromatosis)
Where can HCC metastasise to?
Lymph nodes
Bones
Lungs
Clinical features of HCC?
Weight loss, fever, anorexia, fatigue
Jaundice, ascites
Ache in R hypochondrium
Enlarged, irregular, tender liver
How is HCC diagnosed?
Raised serum AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)
USS
Enhanced CT
Liver biopsy
How is HCC treated?
Surgery resection of isolated lesion
Transplant
HBV vaccination for prophylaxis
Describe pancreatic cancer?
Mostly adenocarcinomas of ductal origin
Mainly at head of pancreas
RF for pancreatic cancer?
Increasing age Smoking Diabetes Chronic pancreatitis HNPCC Multiple endocrine neoplasia BRCA2 gene
Clinical features of pancreatic cancer?
PAINLESS JAUNDICE Anorexia, weight loss epigastric pain Steatorrhoea Diabetes Atypical back pain Migratory thrombophlebitis (Trousseau sign of malignancy)
Typical features of cancer of head of pancreas?
Painless jaundice due to obstruction of CBD
Weight loss
Typical features of cancer of body/tail of pancreas?
Abdo pain, weight loss + anorexia
Investigations for pancreatic cancer?
Courvoisseier’s law
Central abdo mass
USS
HRCT
What is courvoisserier’s law?
Painless jaundice with palpable gallbladder = NOT gallstones
What is seen on HRCT for pancreatic cancer?
Dilated bile ducts
Mass/lesion
Staging
How is pancreatic cancer treated?
Whipple’s resection (pancreaticoduodenectomy)
Adjuvant chemo
ERCP if palliative
v poor prognosis (12months)
What are the different neuroendocrine tumours of the pancreases?
Gastrinoma
Somatostatinoma
VIPoma
Glucagonoma
What are the different liver abscesses?
Pyogenic
Amoebic
Hyatid
Causative agents of pyogenic abscesses?
Staph aurea (children) E coli (adults)
What can cause pyogenic abscesses?
Biliary sepsis Infection of tumour or cyst Direct extension (E.g. from empyema of gallbladder) Trauma Haematogenous
How are pyogenic abscesses managed?
Amoxicillin + ciprofloxacin + metronidazole
USS guided drainage if large
What is the causative agent of an amoebic abscess?
Entamoeba histoytica
What can cause an amoebic abscess?
Hx of living/visiting endemic area
Large, single asbecc
How is an amoebic abscess diagnosed?
Aspiration: anchovy sauce (chocolate-brown material)
Serology
How is amoebic abscess treated?
Metronidazole
Aspirate if large
What is the causative agent of a hyatid cyst?
Echinococcus granulosis
tapeworm
How is a hyatid cyst diagnosed?
serology ELISA
How is hyatid cyst managed?
Albendazole
Percutaneous Aspiration
Injection of a solicidal agent
Reaspiration
Clinical features of a liver abscess?
Fever Weight loss Lethargy RUQ pain +/- pleuritic or R shoulder pain Tender hepatomegaly Obstructive jaundice