Liver Cirrhosis Flashcards
What is the primary cause of cirrhosis in the Western countries?
Alcoholism
What care the three common genetic diseases that can cause cirrhosis?
Hemochromatosis, Wilson’s Dz (Copper Overload), Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
What is the second most cause of cirrhosis in the Western countries?
Metabolic Dz
Other causes of Cirrhosis
Hepatitis B and C, Auto-immune Hepatitis, and Sarcoidosis, Drugs, Toxins, Cryptogenic, Biliary Dz, Venous Outflow Obstruction (very uncommon)
Ongoing ________ results in ongoing liver injury and progression of fibrosis with eventual progression to cirrhosis.
Inflammation
Liver dz characterized pathologically by loss of the normal microscopic lobular architecture with fibrosis and nodular regeneration.
Cirrhosis
I’m looking at a smooth maroon liver in surgery, before doing a histology slide of the cells, what would you think about this liver? What would you expect on a histology slide?
Normal Liver, it will look pretty convoluted and meshlike/brainlike
I’m looking at a nodular discolored liver in surgery, before doing a histology slide of the cells, what would you think about this liver? What would you expect on a histology slide?
Cirrhotic Liver; You will see large spots with surrounding discoloration, etc.
The type of cirrhosis that is associated with NO signs or symptoms of liver dz
Compensated
The type of cirrhosis that is associated with complications/symptoms/signs.
Decompensated
When looking at a liver on a CT, noting some scarring and a more “white” image, would indicate?
Cirrhosis of the liver causing change in architecture. When compared to normal, this looks shrunken.
Patient with yellow skin, what do you think?
JAUNDICE
Patient with yellowing of the eyes is a condition indicative of jaundice is termed?
Icteric Sclerae
When the liver is affected, what can happen in male individuals?
Gynecomastia
A common finding in patients with liver dz/cirrhosis that is seen as a redness of the hands/palms
Palmar Erythema
A common finding in patients with liver dz/cirrhosis that is seen as a localized redness with small vessels.
Spider Angioma
A common finding in patients with liver dz/cirrhosis that is seen as an enlarged preauricular “mass.”
Parotid Enlargement
A common finding in patients with liver dz/cirrhosis that is seen as a torturous elevated vein of the skin termed
Caput Medusa
Define Ascites
Swelling of the abdomen where you can note a severe difference of tympany and dullness when percussing. Dullness would be over the “fluid” portion.
Complications of Cirrhosis (8)
- Portal HTN
- Varices and Variceal Bleeding
- Hyponatremia
- Ascites
- Hepatic Encephalopathy
- Hepatorenal Syndrome
- Hepatopulmonary Syndrome
- Hepatocellular Cancer
The portal venous system begins and ends in the ____________.
Capillaries
What creates the portal vein?
Splenic vein, Superior mesenteric vein, and inferior mesenteric vein.
What is the NORMAL portal vein pressure?
5-6 mm Hg
Normal hepatic sinusoids have ______ resistance to flow
Low
Cirrhotic liver will _______ resistance, making the pressure ______. This pressure change is what causes _________________ to occur.
Create; high; Portal HTN
When is portal HTN “clinically significant”
10+ mm Hg
Dilated collateral veins in the portal-systemic circulation, commonly in the gastric or esophageal veins.
Varices
When do varices start developing? When do these varices cause bleeding?
10+ mm Hg; 12+ mm Hg