Liver Flashcards
what are the functions of the liver
where oestrogen level regulation
albumin production
clotting factors
sorage
metabolism of carbs
immunity (Kupfer)
detoxification
bilirubin metabolism
what are markers of liver function
bilirubin - conjugated vs unconjugated
albumin
prothrombin time (PT/INR)
what happens to levels of bilirubin in liver damage
increase
what happens to levels of albumin in liver damage
decrease
what happens to prothrombin time in liver disease
it increases
Where are ALT and AST found
found in the liver, heart, kidney and muscles
why do you test for ALT and AST
they will show an increase in liver damage (likely) as they spill out into the blood
what is the ratio of AST:ALT seen in alcoholic liver disease (typically)
> 2:1 (especially with an increased GGT)
what is the GGT test used for
it is the gamma-glutamyl transferase test - which measures the amount GGT in the blood, which increases when the liver is damaged
when might you see an increase in ALP levels
in biliary tree specific damage
what is acute liver damage
when there is liver injury which ic accompanied with HE, Jaundice and coagulopathy (>1.5INR) in a patient with a previously normal liver
what is the main cause of acute liver failure (fulminant liver failure) in the UK
Paracetamol overdose
what is fulminant liver failure
it is a rare syndrome of massive hepatocyte necrosis
what is seen histologically in acute liver failure
multiacinar necrosis
what is hyper acute fulminant liver failure
Hepatic encephalopathy within 7 days of jaundice
what is acute fulminant liver failure
it is hepatic encephalopathy within 8-28 days of jaundice
what is chronic liver failure
a patient which has a progressive history of liver disease
what are causes of acute liver injury
viral - HepA, B, E, CMV, EBV
autoimmune hepatitis
drugs - paracetamol, alcohol, ecstasy
HCC
metabolic - wilsons, haemochromotosis, A1ATD
Budd chiari
how does liver failure progress from hepatitis
hepatitis - fibrosis - compensated cirrhosis - decompensated cirrhosis
what are symptoms of acute liver failure
jaundice, coagulopathy, hepatic encephalopathy
- spider naevi
- fetor hepaticus
- caput-medusae
- Dupuytren’s contracture
what are the West haven criteria grades 1-4 for hepatic encephalopathy
- altered mood and sleep issues
- lethargy, mild confusion, asterixis
- marked confusion, somnolent
- comatose
How do you diagnose acute liver injury
Bloods (LFTs)
imaging: ECG to grade the HE, USS to check budd chiari
microbiology to rule out infection
what microbiological test will be performed in acute liver injury to rule out infection
blood culture
urine culture
ascitic tap
what would be seen on bloods in an acute liver injury
increased bilirubin, decreased albumin, increased prothrombin time and INR. There will be an increased serum AST and ALT, increased NH3 and a decreased glucose
how do you acutely treat acute liver failure
ITU - ABCDE
fluids
analgesia
how do you treat acute liver failure
treat the underlying cause and complications
- increase ICP give IV mannitol
- HE give lactulose
- ascites give diuretics
- haemorrhage - give vitamin K
what are the two outcomes for acute liver injury
can lead to liver failure or recovery
what is the presentation of acute liver injury
malaise, nausea, anorexia, jaundice
rare
- confusion
- bleeding
- liver pain
- hypoglucaemia
what is the presentation of chronic liver injury
ascites
oedema
haematemesis (varices)
malaise
anorexia
wasting
easy bruising
hepatomegaly
abnormal LFTs
what are the two types of liver enzymes tested for
cholestatic: alkaline phosphate and gamma GT
hepatocellular: transaminases (AST, ALT)
what are the reasons someone may develop pre-hepatic jaundice
Gilbert syndrome
Haemolysis
What are causes for conjugated bilirubin jaundice
liver disease - hepatic
bile duct obstruction - post hepatic
what is chronic liver failure
it is progressive liver disease over 6 months due to repeated liver insults
what are risk factors of developing chronic liver failure
alcohol, obesity, T2DM, drugs, inherited metabolic disease, autoimmunity
what are causes of chronic liver failure
- Alcohol related liver disease
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Viral
what is the pathophysiology behind chronic liver failure development
Hepatitis/cholestasis - fibrosis (reversible) - cirrhosis (irreversible) - compensated or decompensated liver failure
what are the symptoms of decompensated liver failure
jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, coagulopathy, low serum albumin
what is the Childpugh score
it assesses the prognosis and extent of the treatment required for chronic liver failure
- especially for decompensated cirrhosis
what are the classes scores of the Childpugh score
A = 100% 1y survival
B = 80% 1y survival
C = 45% 1y survival
what is a clear risk factor for developing hepatocellular carcinoma
end-stage liver failure with decompensated cirrhosis
what is the MELD score
it is the model for end-stage liver disease liver disease, which stratifies the severity of ESLD for transplant planning
what are symptoms of chronic liver injury
jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, oesophageal varices, palmar erythema, gynecomastia, clubbing, setor hepaticus, Dupuytren’s contracture
how do you diagnose chronic liver failure
Liver biopsy - see the extent of CLD
Lifer function tests
Imaging: USS
Ascetic tap culture
what is the treatment for chronic liver failure
prevent progression - lifestyle modifying
consider liver transplant (if decompensated)
manage the complications
what lifestyle changes can be made to prevent chronic liver failure progression
drink less alcohol
decreased BMI
what do you give to manage hepatic encephalopathy
lactulose
how do you manage ascites
diuretics
what is ascites
build up of fluid in the belly
what are risk factors for alcohol liver disease
chronic alcohol consumption
obesity
smoking
how does alcoholic liver disease progress
steatosis - fatty liver undamaged
alcoholic hepatitis - mallory bodies
alcoholic cirrhosis - micronodular
what are the symptoms of alcoholic liver disease
early stages may show very little symptoms
in the more severe stages patients will develop chronic liver failure symptoms and alcohol dependency
what symptoms are seen in late stage alcoholic liver disease
jaundice
hepatomegaly
Dupuytren contracture
ascites
hepatic encephalopathy
spider naeiri
easy bruising
what is the maximum units of alcohol recommended per week
14 units a week
how do you work out the units using alcohol ABV
Strength (ABV) X Vol/ml ÷ 1000
how much is one unit of alcohol in g and mL
- 8g
- 10mL
what are the two types of gall stone
- Cholesterol stones (70%)
- Pigment stones (30%)
how do you manage gall stones
- laparoscopic cholecystectomy
- bile acid dissolution therapy
if they are in the bile duct - ERCP with sphincterotomy and removal
- surgery with large stones
what type of liver disease is itching associated with
cholestatic liver disease
what are the different types of drug-induced liver injury
hepatocellular
cholestatic
mixed
what are the common drugs which cause drug-induced liver disease
antibiotics - augmentin, flucloxacillin
CNS drugs
immunosuppressants
analgesics/MSK - diclofenac
Gastrointestinal drugs - PPIs
Dietary supplements
multiple drugs
what is the alcohol dependency questionnaire CAGE
- should you Cut down
- are people Annoyed by your drinking
- do you feel Guilty about drinking
- do you drink in the morning (Eye opening)
other than CAGE what other alcohol dependency questionnaires can be used
AUDIT - 10 questions: alcohol use disorder ID test
how do you diagnose alcohol liver disease
bloods - LFTs, FCB (macrocytic non megaloblastic anaemia)
Biopsy - to confirm extent of cirrhosis
what is the treatment for alcoholic liver disease
STOP ALCOHOL
give diazepam for tremors (withdrawal)
healthy diet and reduce BMI
steroids (short term)
B1 and folate supplements
liver transplant
what must someone with alcohol liver disease do if they need a liver transplant
must abstain for 3 plus months from alcohol before they are considered
what are complications of alcohol liver disease
pancreatitis
hepatic encephalopathy
ascites
hepatocellular carconoma
Mallory Weiss tear
Wernicke korsakoff syndrome
what is a mallory weiss tear
it is a tear of the tissue in the lower oesophagus which can be brought about by violent coughing or vomiting
what are the symptoms of a mallory weiss tear
blood in vomit
black or tar like stools
weakness
dizziness
faintness
shortness of breath
diarrhoea
pale
abdominal or chest pain
what are the infectious causes of liver failure
Viral hepatitis (B, C, CMV)
yellow fever
leptospirosis
EBV
what is Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome
it is B1 deficiency due to excess alcohol intake.
it is the combines presence of Wenicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome
What are the vascular causes of liver failure
Budd-Chiari syndrome
Veno-occlusive disease
what is Budd - Chiari syndrome
it is a condition where the hepatic veins are blocked or narrowed by a clot
what toxins cause liver failure
amanita phalloides mushroom
carbon tetrachloride
paracetamol overdose
halothane
isoniazid
alcohol
what are obstructive causes of liver failure
fatty liver of pregnancy
eclampsia
what are some other causes for liver failure
autoimmune disease
Wilsons disease
Cirrhosis
when will prothrombin time be high
in acute renal failure
what is asterixis
a tremor when the wrist is extended
what is fetor hepaticus
breath has a strong musty smell
what is constructional apraxia
you cant perform tasks which involve construction i.e drawing a star
how is liver failure monitored
fluids = Urinary and central venous cannulas
bloods = daily
glucose = 1-4 hr plus a dextrose IV
what are the complications of liver failure
hepatorenal syndrome
bleeding
sepsis
ascites
hypoglycaemia
seizures
cerebral oedema
what are the symptoms of Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome
ataxia
nystagmus = a rhythmical, repetitive and involuntary movement of the eyes
encephalopathy
what is non alcoholic fatty liver disease
chronic liver disease not due to alcoholism
what are risk factors of non alcoholic fatty liver disease
obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, endocrine disorders, drugs (NSAIDs, amiodarone)
what is the disease progression of non alcoholic fatty liver disease
hepatosteatosis (non alcoholic fatty liver) - non alcoholic steatohepatitis - fibrosis - cirrhosis
what are the patient symptoms of non alcoholic fatty liver disease
it is typically asymptomatic: any findings are incidental initially
- if it is very severe then they will present with liver failure signs
how do you diagnose non alcoholic fatty liver disease
bloods = rearranged LFTs (increased PT/INR, low albumin, high bilirubin). FBC (thrombocytopenia and hyperglycaemia)
imaging = 1st line for suspected NAFLD - USS abdomen
how do you assess the risk of fibrosis in NAFLD
the non invasive scoring system
what is the treatment for NAFLD
- lose weight (reduce BMI)
- control risk factors: statins, metformin, ACE-i
- VITAMIN E
what are complications for NAFLD
hepatic encephalopathy
ascites
hepatocellular carcinoma
portal hypertension
oesophageal varices
what is viral hepatitis
inflammation of liver as a result of viral replication within hepatocytes
what are the features of Hep A induced hepatitis
Acute
Mild
Faecal - oral spread
Shellfish
ssRNA virus
what are risk factors of catching HepA
overcrowding
poor saturation
shellfish
travel
how long is the incubation period for Hep A
incubation is 2 weeks - replicated in the liver and excreted in the bile
what are the symptoms of HepA
prodromal phase - 1-2 weeks
- malaise, nausea, vomiting, fever
Then jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, hepatosplenomegaly
how do you diagnose HepA
bloods - increased ESR and leukopenia
LFTs - bilirubin increase
HAV serology - HAV IgM indicated acute infection
what is the treatment for hepatitis A
supportive treatment
- travelers vaccine is available
what is a rare complication of hepatitis A
fulminant (rapid) liver failure
what are features of Hep C infection
acute and chronic infection
ssRNA virus
blood bone
large association with IVDU, limited vertical and sexual transmission
what are the symptoms of Hep C infection
often asymptomatic
few patients with influenza like symptoms
resent later with chronic liver failure signs and hepatosplenomegaly
how do you diagnose Hep C
serology
- HCV RNA = current infection
- HCV Ab = presents within 4-6 weeks of infection
what is the treatment for Hep C
direct acting antivirals
- oral rivavarin plus NSSA-I, NSSB-I
what percentage of Hep C cases progress onto chronic liver failure
30%
what are the features of HepE
acute infection
ssDNA infection
associated with undercooked pork
faecal - oral spread
common in india and china
how do you diagnose Hep E infection
Bloods
- HEV IgM = acute infection
- HEV RNA
what is the treatment for Hep E
supportive
self limiting disease so will get better (usually)
what are features of Hep D
acute and chronic infection
ssRNA
blood born
dependent on HBV
why does Hep D require HBV for infection
it is incomplete - required HBV genome for viral assembly
what are the features of Hep B
it is an acute and chronic virus
dsDNA
blood born
how is Hep B transmitted
needles
Sexual
vertical
horizontal (between children)
What body fluids is HBV found in
saliva and semen
what are the risk factors for HBV
IV drug user
MSM
dialysis patients
healthcare workers
what are the symptoms of Hep B
similar to hepatitis A
1-2 week prodrome with a then deepening jaundice, dark urine and pale stool. Hepatosplenomegaly, urticaria, arthralgia
what is the incubation period for HBV
1-6 months
how do you diagnose Hep B
serology
- HBVsAg = present for 1-6 months of infection
- HBsAg = present after 6 months of infection (denotes immunity)
- HBcAg = exposed to HBV at some point
- HBcIgM = acute infection
- HBcIgG = chronic infection
- HBeAg = marker of patient infectiousness
- HBeAb = implies reduced infectivity, present in all chronic infections
what is the treatment for HepB
peglyated interferon
alpha 2A
what percentage of HBV cases progress to chronic liver failure
5-10% of cases, but in 90% of cases in children they will become chronic decompensated and associated with a very poor prognosis - will require a liver transplant
what do all types of hepatitis show
interface necrosis on histology
what is autoimmune hepatitis
very rare - an adaptive immunity that mounts a response against hepatocytes
what are risk factors of autoimmune hepatitis
female
other autoimmune diseases (such as SLE)
viral hepatitis
HLA DR3/4
what are the two types of autoimmune hepatitis
T1 = adult females (80%)
T2 = young females
what are the two types of antibody found in type 1 autoimmune hepatitis
antinuclear antibody
anti smooth muscle antibody
what are the two types of antibody found in T2 autoimmune hepatitis
anti liver cytosol
anti liver - kidney microsome
what are the symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis
25% of cases asymptomatic
many present with jaundice, fever and hepatosplenomegaly
how do you diagnose autoimmune hepatitis
serology
- ANA, ASMA plus or minus ALC-1 or ALKM1
how do you treat autoimmune hepatitis
corticosteroids (prednisolone) and azathioprine
- also have Hep A and Hep B vaccination
transplantation considered as last resort
what is jaundice
the yellowing of the skin/eyes due to the accumulation of conjugated or unconjugated bilirubin
what is the normal method of bilirubin metabolism
1 Haemoglobin is broken down into haem and globin
2 haem is converted into biliverdin (+ Fe++)
3 biliverdin reductase converts biliverdin to unconjugated biliruben
4 unconjugated bilirubin travels to the liver where its bound to glucuronic acid making conjugated bilirubin
5 this goes into the duodenum and becomes urobilinogen
6 urobilinogen converted into stercobilin (90%)
6 5% of urobilinogen becomes urobilin and excreted in the wee
what is the cause for pre-hepatic jaundice
it is when there is high unconjugated bilirubin due to an increased red blood cell breakdown
- haemolytic anaemia
- sickle cell
- C6PDH deficiency
- autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
- thalassemia
- malaria
what are causes for intrahepatic jaundice
parenchymal disease
- HCC
- ALD/NAFLD
- hepatitis (viral, autoimmune)
- hepatotoxic drugs (rifampicin)
- Gilberts syndrome
- crigler Nijar syndrome
what is gilbers syndrome
a mutation of UGT1A1 gene; causes underreactive UGT enzyme and therefore there is reduced conjugated bilirubin
What is Crigler Najjar syndrome
absence of UGT
what are causes of post hepatic jaundice
conjugated hyperbilirubinemia due to obstruction
- biliary tree pathology
- choledocholithiasis
- pancreatic cancer
- cholangiocarcinoma
- Mirizzi syndrome
- drug induced cholestasis (ampicillin)
- Autoimmune
what is Mirizzi syndrome
rarely gallstones get stuck and can externally compress the common bile duct and cause obstruction
why is there pale stool and dark urine in obstructive jaundice
as conjugated bilirubin affects stool and urine, when there is a blockage there is more in the blood and less in the intestine.
is gilberts syndrome more common in men or women
young men
What is Courvoisier sign
painless jaundice with a palpable gall bladder
- most likely pancreatic cancer
where is the most common site of pancreatic cancer
60-70% occurs at the head of the pancreas
what is charcots triad
fever
jaundice
Right upper quadrant pain
what are symptoms of cholecystitis
fever and right upper quadrant pain
what are features of biliary cholic pain
right upper quadrant pain
what are features of ascending cholangitis
fever
right upper quadrant pain
jaundice
what is reynolds pentad
ascending cholangitis (obstructive)
- fever, right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, confusion, hypotension
what is murphys sign
right upper quadrant tenderness; ask patient to take a breath in while pressing the right upper quadrant + cholecystitis
how do you diagnose jaundice
bloods and LFTs - bilirubin, albumin, PT/INR, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, Urine, Bilirubin and urobilinogen
- imaging: first line is ultrasound scan
what are 99% of pancreatic cancer cases
adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas, of ductal origin typically affecting the head
where does pancreatic cancer typically affect
the head of the pancreas
what are risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer
smoking
alcohol
Diabetes mellitus
family history
chronic pancreatitis
genetic predisposition - PRSS-1 mutation
what are the presentations of a pancreatic cancer of the head of the pancreas
Courvoisier sign - painless jaundice and palpable gall bladder with pale stoll and dark urine.
what are the presentations of pancreatic cancer of the body or tail of the pancreas
epigastric pain radiating to the back which is relieved by sitting forward
how do you diagnose pancreatic cancer
pancreatic CT protocol and then a bile duct drainage
- will have ca19-9 tumour marker (not diagnostic but used to monitor the patients)
what is the treatment for pancreatic cancer
prognosis is very poor
- surgery and post-operative chemo if there are no Mets
- palliative care otherwise
what is the five year survival for pancreatic cancer
3% 5 yr survival
what are primary types of liver cancer
hepatocellular carcinoma
cholarigiocarcinoma
what are secondary causes of liver cancer
metastasis - GIT, Breast, bronchial
what does hepatocellular carcinoma arise from
liver parenchyma
what are risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma
chronic hepatitis virus - C and B
cirrhosis from ALD/NAFLD/haemochromotosis
where does HCC often metastasise to
lymph nodes
bones
lungs
what are patient symptoms of HCC
signs of decompensated liver failure
- jaundice
- ascites
- hepatic encephalopathy
- irregular hepatomegaly
Signs of cancer
- weight loss
- tired all the time
what are the steps in diagnosing HCC
may show an increase in serum AFP
imaging - ultrasound, GS CT for confirmation
why is biopsy often avoided with HCC
to prevent seeding of the tumour everywhere
how do you treat HCC
surgical resection of the tumour
when decompensated cirrhosis - liver transplant
prevention - HBV vaccination
what does a cholangiocarcinoma arise from
it arises from the biliary tree - typically adenocarcinoma
what are risk factors of developing cholangiocarcinoma
parasitic flukeworms
biliary cysts
IBD
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
what are symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma
abdominal pain
jaundice
weight loss
fevers
puritis
Courvoisier sign
when do symptoms present in cholangiocarcinoma
present late as it is a slow growing tumour
how do you diagnose cholangiocarcinoma
may show increased CEA and CA19-9
LFT shows increased bilirubin and ALP
ERCP is used to image the biliary tree
biopsy
how do you treat cholangiocarcinoma
Operation
majority of cases are inoperable as the patients present very late