Hepatology + Pancreatobilliary Disease Flashcards
(186 cards)
What are 4 functions of the liver?
Detoxification of xenobiotics
Synthesis of plasma proteins and clotting factors
Site of gluconeogenesis
Production of bile
Clinical presentation of acute liver injury
Malaise
Nausea
Anorexia
Jaundice (occasionally)
Clinical presentation of chronic liver injury
Ascites, Oedema
Haematemesis (varices)
Malaise, anorexia,
Bruising, itching
Palmar erythema, spider naevi, clubbing
Hepatomegaly
Fetor hepaticus - patient breath smells like rotten eggs and garlic
What are examples of liver function tests?
Serum bilirubin
Serum albumin
Prothrombin time
Liver enzymes:
Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)
What is the relevance of checking aminotransferase (ALT/AST) levels?
These enzymes are contained in hepatocytes and leak into the blood with liver cell damage.
What is a consequence of chronic liver disease?
Can lead to liver fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis.
What can be calculated using ALT and ALP as a clinical indicator?
ALT:AST ratio
What would the ALT:AST ratio be like in viral hepatitis?
ALT>AST (>1)
What would the ALT:AST ratio be like in alcoholic liver disease/steatohepatitis?
AST>ALT (<1)
What is an indicator of liver cirrhosis in viral hepatitis?
ALT:AST ratio <1 (AST higher than ALT)
What would cause raised serum ALP levels?
Intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholestatic disease of any cause, due to increased synthesis.
What is jaundice?
Yellowing discolouration of the skin and eyes due to hyperbilirubinaemia causing bilirubin deposition.
Aetiology of pre-hepatic jaundice
Gilbert’s syndrome (underactivy in UDP glucoronyltransferase enzyme)
Crigler-Najjar syndrome - deficiency in UDP glucoronyltransferase.
Haemolysis
What can cholestatic jaundice be classified into?
Hepatic and post-hepatic jaundice.
Aetiology of hepatic/intrahepatic jaundice
Viral hepatitis (ABCD, EBV)
Alcoholic hepatitis
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Congestive heart failure
Aetiology of post-hepatic/extrahepatic jaundice
Gall stone in bile duct
Cholangitis (bile duct inflammation)
Bile duct carcinoma
Which type of jaundice is caused by high levels of uncongugated bilirubin?
Pre-hepatic jaundice
Which type of jaundice is caused by high levels of conjugated bilirubin?
Cholestatic (intra + extrahepatic) jaundice.
Clinical presentation of pre-hepatic jaundice
Normal urine
Normal stools
No itching
Normal LFTs
Clinical presentation of cholestatic jaundice
Dark urine
Pale stools
Itching - gets worse when feeling hot.
Abnormal LFTs
Upper abdomen pain radiating to shoulder.
Investigation of jaundice
Abdominal ultrasound to check for biliary obstruction
Check for viral markers
Liver enzymes (ALT, ALP, AST)
Aetiology/risk factors for cholelithiasis (hepatobilliary stones)
Female, fat (obesity), fertile (multiparity), forty, fair.
Haemolytic anaemia
Clinical presentation of hepatobilliary stones
Epigastric/right hypochondriac colic
Despite colic name, severe, constant crescendo-ing pain.
Can increase after a fatty meal.
Can radiate to shoulder due to diaphragmatic irritation.
Can be accompanied by nausea/vomiting.
Can cause jaundice + associated symptoms if in billiary tree.
What conditions can be caused by gallbladder stones?
Cholecystis
Obstructive jaundice (Mirrizi syndrome)