Liver and co. Flashcards
What are the functions of the liver?
- Glucose + fat metabolism.
- Detoxification + excretion.
- Protein synthesis (albumin, clotting factors).
- Defence against infection.
What do liver function tests measure?
- Serum bilirubin, albumin + prothrombin time.
What enzyme raises in…
i) Cholestatic liver disease?
ii) Hepatocellular liver disease?
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
- Transaminases (AST, ALT).
What occurs in pre-hepatic jaundice? What are the urine + stools like?
- Increased breakdown of erythrocytes results in increased levels of unconjugated bilirubin.
- Urine + Stools normal, no itching, LFTs normal.
What occurs in cholestatic jaundice? What are the urine + stools like?
- Can be due to liver disease (hepatic) or bile-duct obstruction (post-hepatic).
- Raised conjugated bilirubin.
- Dark urine + pale stools, itching, abnormal LFTs.
What are the symptoms of jaundice?
Biliary pain, rigors (indicative of obstructive), weight loss.
PARACETAMOL OVERDOSE
What occurs in the therapeutic dose of paracetamol?
- Mostly metabolised via sulfate/glucuronic acid conjugation pathway (Phase II).
- If stores are low, undergoes phase I oxidation forming highly reactive toxic compound NAPQI which is immediately conjugated with glutathione + excreted.
PARACETAMOL OVERDOSE
What happens in paracetamol overdose?
- Large amounts of paracetamol oxidised to NAPQI due to Phase II saturation.
- Liver glutathione stores depleted, NAPQI persists > hepatotoxicity + kidney injury.
PARACETAMOL OVERDOSE
What are the clinical features of paracetamol overdose?
Asymptomatic for first 24h.
Liver damage peaks 72h after…
- Jaundice, metabolic acidosis, hypoglycaemia.
PARACETAMOL OVERDOSE
What is the treatment for paracetamol overdose?
- Gastric decontamination with activated charcoal.
- IV N-acetyl-cysteine (replenishes cellular glutathione stores).
LIVER FAILURE
What is the pathophysiology of liver failure?
- Destruction of hepatocytes + development of fibrosis in response to chronic inflammation.
- The destruction of the architecture of the nodules of the level removes the ability of the liver to adequately perform functions, repair + regenerate.
LIVER FAILURE
What is fulminant hepatic failure? How does it come about?
- Massive necrosis of liver cells leading to severe impairment of liver function.
- Can be acute or progress from a chronic liver disease.
LIVER FAILURE
What is the aetiology of fulminant hepatic failure?
- Infection (Hep B/C, CMV).
- Induced (alcohol, drug toxicity).
- Autoimmune hep, metabolic liver diseases.
LIVER FAILURE
What is the clinical presentation of fulminant hepatic failure?
- Jaundice.
- Hepatic encephalopathy (drowsiness/confusion).
- Clubbing.
- Ascites.
- Asterixis.
LIVER FAILURE
What is hepatic encephalopathy?
- Liver unable to remove ammonia + so it’s able to cross BBB causing cerebral oedema.
LIVER FAILURE
What are the investigations for fulminant liver failure?
- Bloods – hepatitis, CMV + EBV serology, raised bilirubin, low glucose.
- Abdominal USS.
- Doppler flow studies of portal vein.
LIVER FAILURE
What is the treatment for fulminant liver failure?
- Nutrition + supplements.
- Treat complications (lactulose, mannitol for hepatic encephalopathy)
- Liver transplantation.
ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE
What are the three stages of alcoholic liver disease?
- Fatty change.
- Alcoholic hepatitis.
- Alcoholic cirrhosis.
ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE
Explain the fatty change stage.
- Biopsy finding, hepatocytes contain macrovesicular droplets of triglycerides.
- Fat disappears on cessation of alcohol intake.
ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE
Explain the alcoholic hepatitis stage.
- Ballooned hepatocytes that contain eosinophilic material called Mallory bodies, surrounding by neutrophils.
- Fibrosis + foamy degeneration of hepatocytes possible, usually co-exists with cirrhosis.
ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE
Explain the alcoholic cirrhosis stage.
- Final stage of alcoholic liver disease where there’s destruction of liver architecture + fibrosis.
ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE
What are the clinical presentations of alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis?
Hepatitis... - Rapid onset jaundice. - Nausea, fever, ascites. - Encephalopathy. Cirrhosis... - Spider naevi, loss of body hair. - Clubbing, palmar erythema, white nails.
ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE
What are the investigations for alcoholic liver disease?
Bloods = macrocytic anaemia.
Liver biochemistry = AST + ALT raised (AST>ALT ratio), GGT v raised.
ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE
What is the treatment for alcoholic liver disease?
- Alcohol cessation.
- Treat malnutrition from alcohol (thiamine).
CIRRHOSIS
What is the pathophysiology of cirrhosis?
- Cirrhosis results form necrosis of liver cells followed by fibrosis + nodule formation, the end result is impairment of liver cell function + gross distortion of the liver architecture leading to portal HTN.
CIRRHOSIS
What is…
i) compensated cirrhosis?
ii) decompensated cirrhosis?
i) When the liver can still function effectively + there are no/few noticeable symptoms.
ii) Liver is damaged to point it cannot function adequately + clinical complications present. Events causing this can be infection, portal vein thrombosis + surgery.
CIRRHOSIS
What is the aetiology of cirrhosis?
Chronic liver diseases…
- Alcohol misuse (commonest in western world).
- Hep B/C (commonest worldwide).
- Obesity/T2DM.
CIRRHOSIS
What is the clinical presentation of
i) Chronic liver disease?
ii) Secondary to portal HTN + liver failure?
i) Spider naevi + loss of body hair, clubbing, palmar erythema, white nails.
ii) Ascites, abdominal pain, variceal haemorrhage, encephalopathy, jaundice.
CIRRHOSIS
What are the major complications with cirrhosis?
- MAJOR = hepatocellular carcinoma, screen for it every 6 months with ultrasound + serum alpha-fetoprotein, AFP.
- Hepatic encephalopathy.
- Abnormal bleeding (portal HTN > variceal haemorrhage).
- Ascites.
CIRRHOSIS
What are the investigations for cirrhosis?
- Bloods, FBC = thrombocytopenia witih leukopenia + anaemia later.
- Liver ultrasound + duplex.
- Liver biopsy = diagnostic.
- Ascitic tap.
CIRRHOSIS
What is the treatment for cirrhosis?
- Treat underlying.
- Symptom relief = spironolactone for ascites, lactulose/mannitol for hepatic encephalopathy.
- If ascites, prohylactic ciprofloxacin.
- Liver transplant most effective.
PORTAL HYPERTENSION
What is the pathophysiology of portal HTN?
- Inflow of portal blood can be partially/completely obstructed leading to high pressure proximal to obstruction.
- Endothelin-1 production is increased + NO production is decreased in cirrhosis so there’s more vasoconstriction, increasing portal pressure.
PORTAL HYPERTENSION
What is the aetiology of portal HTN?
- Pre-hepatic (blockage of portal vein) = thrombosis or portal/splenic vein.
- Intrahepatic (distortion of liver architecture) = cirrhosis (UK), schistosomiasis (worldwide).
- Post-hepatic (venous blockage outside liver) = Budd-Chiari syndrome.
PORTAL HYPERTENSION
What is Budd-Chiari syndrome?
- Vascular disease associated with occlusion of hepatic veins that drain liver.
PORTAL HYPERTENSION
What are the complications tha can occur in portal HTN?
- Varices can occur due to diversion of blood into portosystemic collaterals (gastro-oesophageal junction) to relieve the pressure where they are superifical + liable to rupture, causing massive GI haemorrhage.
PORTAL HYPERTENSION
What is the clincial presentation of portal HTN?
Oesophago-gastric varcies…
- Haematemesis.
- Pallor.
- Shock (hypotensive, tachycardic).
PORTAL HYPERTENSION
What are the investigations for portal HTN?
- Upper GI endoscopy.
PORTAL HYPERTENSION
What are the treatment for portal HTN?
Medical (reduce portal pressure)... - Beta blocker to reduce CO. - Nitrates + ADH analogue. Surgical... - Band ligation. - Trans-jugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS).
ACUTE PANCREATITIS
What is the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis?
- Inflammatory process with release of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) + pancreatic enzymes (trypsin, lipase) which destroys the pancreas.
ACUTE PANCREATITIS
What are the three types of pancreatitis?
- Oedematous (acute fluid collection).
- Necrotising.
- Haemorrhagic.
ACUTE PANCREATITIS
What is the aetiology of acute pancreatitis?
I GET SMASHED…
- Idiopathic.
- Gallstones.
- Ethanol (alcohol).
- Trauma.
- Steroids.
- Mumps.
- Autimmune.
- Scorpion stings.
- Hyperlipidaemia.
- ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography).
- Drugs.
ACUTE PANCREATITIS
What are the symptoms of acute pancreatitis?
- Severe epigastric abdominal pain (radiates to back, sitting forward may relieve).
- May be gradual/sudden onset.
- Vomiting.
ACUTE PANCREATITIS
What are the signs of acute pancreatitis?
- Periumbilical or flank bruising (Cullen’s + Grey Turner’s signs respectively) from blood vessel autodigestion + retroperitoneal haemorrhage.
- Jaundice.
- Shock.
ACUTE PANCREATITIS
What are the investigations for acute pancreatitis?
Diagnosis on 2/3…
- Characteristic severe epigastric pain radiating to back.
- Raised serum amylase (3-fold upper limit).
- Abdominal CT scan pathology.
- Serum lipase is more sensitive + specific.
ACUTE PANCREATITIS
What is criteria is used for predicting acute pancreatitis severity?
Modified Glasgow Criteria, PANCREAS ≥3 suggests severe... PaO2 < 8kPa. Age >55y/o Neutrophilia Calcium <2mmol/L. Raised urea >16mmol/L. Elevated enzymes. Albumin <32g/L. Sugar, blood glucose >10mmol/L.
ACUTE PANCREATITIS
What is the treatment for acute pancreatitis?
- Analgesia, IV fluids (maintian electrolyte balance).
- Oxygen.
- Treat cause.
- Abx? Gallstone removal (progressive jaundice)? Drain oedematous fluid, surgery.
CHRONIC PANCREATITIS
What is the pathophysiology of chronic pancreatitis?
- Chronic inflammation of the pancreas leads to irreversible damage.
- Pancreatic duct obstruction leads to activation of pancreatic enzymes leading to necrosis + subsequent fibrosis.
CHRONIC PANCREATITIS
What is the aetiology of chronic pancreatitis?
- Most excessive alcohol consumption as proteins precipitate in ductal lumen causing obstruction.
- Smoking, autoimmune.
CHRONIC PANCREATITIS
What is the clinical presentation of chronic pancreatitis?
- Epigastric pain radiating to back (relieved sitting forward).
- Weight loss.
- Steatorrhoea (excretion of abnormal quantities of fat).
- DM.
- Nausea + vomiting.
CHRONIC PANCREATITIS
What are the investigations for chronic pancreatitis?
- Ultrasound ± CT shows pancreatic calcifications.
CHRONIC PANCREATITIS
What is the treatment for chronic pancreatitis?
Lifestyle = smoking + alcohol cessation, ?low fat diet. Drugs = analgesia, pancreatic enzyme replacement, steroids if autoimmune. Surgery = local resection.
BILIARY COLIC
What is the pathophysiology of biliary colic?
- RUQ pain due to gallstone blocking bile duct temporarily.
BILIARY COLIC
What is the aetiology of biliary colic?
Gallstones…
- Cholesterol, bile pigment + phospholipids are components seen.
BILIARY COLIC
What is the clinical presentation of biliary colic?
- Recurrent episodes of severe, persistent RUQ pain (back radiation).
- Triggered by heavy, faty meal.
BILIARY COLIC
What are the investigations of biliary colic?
- Basis of history + ultrasound showing gallbladders.
- Serum ALP + bilirubin increases during attack.
- Absence of inflammatory features differentiates from acute cholecystitis.
BILIARY COLIC
What is the treatment for biliary colic?
- Analgesics + elective cholecystectomy.
ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS
What is the pathophysiology of acute cholecystitis?
- Inflammation of the gallbladder following the impaction of a stone in the cystic duct/neck of gallbladder, obstruction to bile emptying.
ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS
What is the aetiology + risk factors for acute cholecystitis?
- Gallstones.
- Fat, Forty, Female, Fertile.
ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS
What is the clinical presentation of acute cholecystitis?
- Sever RUQ pain associated with fever, vomiting.
- Gallbladder mass.
- NO jaundice.
- Murphy’s sign (tenderness worse on inspiration when 2 fingers on RUQ).
ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS
What are the complications of acute cholecystitis?
- Empyema (pus) + perforation with peritonitis.
ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS
What are the investigations of acute cholecystitis?
- Bloods = FBC shows increased WCC.
- Liver function tests to exclude liver/bile duct pathology.
- Abdominal USS shows gallstones + distended gallbladder w/ thickened wall.
ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS
What are the treatments for acute cholecystitis?
Supportive = nil-by-mouth, IV fluids, pain relief.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
ASCENDING CHOLANGITIS
What is the pathophysiology of ascending cholangitis?
- Gallstone is stuck in the common bile duct + because flow of bile can no longer prevent intestinal bacteria from migrating up the biliary tree there is infection + inflammation.
ASCENDING CHOLANGITIS
What is the aetiology of ascending cholangitis?
- Gallstones.
- Infection (E. coli, klebsiella, enterococcos, group D strep).
ASCENDING CHOLANGITIS
What is the clinical presentation of ascending cholangitis?
- Charcot’s triad = fever, RUQ pain + jaundice (cholestatic).
- Reynold’s pentad w/ hypotension + confusion.
ASCENDING CHOLANGITIS
What are the investigations for ascending cholangitis?
Bloods – WCC increased, blood cultures, positive, LFTs raised. MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) visualises site + Cause of obstruction.