Liver Pathologies Flashcards
what is the most common liver malignancy?
Hepatoma or HCC
what is typically the predisposing factor for HCC?
Cirrhosis
How would you describe a liver with cirrhosis?
- smaller
- nodular
- bumpy
- not smooth
if a 50 y/o has an echogenic mass in their liver…what could it be?
- liver cell adenoma
- Lipoma
- focal nodular hyperplasia
- hemangioma
which echogenic liver mass is generally associated with birth control pills?
focal nodular hyperplasia
liver agenesis
congenital defect of the liver where a portion of the liver, and in some cases the whole liver is not present
situs inversus
congenital defect of the liver where a person is born with their liver on the left side of their body instead of the right side.
vascular anomalies
congenital defect of the liver where a person is born with extra or less veins or arteries in the liver
what are the most common vascular anomalies?
hepatic veins and arteries
what is the least common vascular anomaly?
portal veins
what is fatty infiltration?
an acquired but reversible disorder of metabolism, resulting in the accumulation of triglycerides (fat) within the hepatocytes.
focal fatty infiltration
accumulation of fat in local lobules of the liver
focal fatty sparing
localized absence of of intracellular hepatic fat.
Hepatitis A
result of infection from multiple viruses; this infection is found worldwide and is spread primarily be fecal contamination.
Hepatitis B
infection in the liver spread from blood transfusions of infected blood or plasma through the use of contaminated needles.
Hepatitis C
contracted through contaminated needles, and is diagnosed with the presence of the antibody for HCV in the blood.
acute hepatitis
this is used to describe a wide variety of conditions characterized by inflammation of the liver, and resulting in elevated liver functions
chronic hepatitis
this exists when there is a clinical or biochemical evidence of hepatic inflammation that extends beyond 6 months.
cirrhosis
a chronic, degenerative disease of the liver where the hepatic lobes are covered with fibrous tissue.
the parenchyma degenerates, and the lobules are infiltrated with fat.
(80% of cancer is from this)
glycogen storage disease
an inherited disease characterized by the abnormal storage and accumulation of glycogen in the tissues.
hepatic cyst
fluid-filled cavity located inside the liver
polycystic liver disease
a disorder where there are multiple cysts on the liver at one time.
hepatic abscess
a pus-filled mass in the liver
pyogenic abscess
a pus-filled pocket of fluid that can form from infection in the blood, abdominal infection, or an abdominal injury that has become infected.
hepatic candidiasis
in infection within the liver where a certain yeast fungus called candida is present.
amebic abscess
caused by the protozoan parasite, entamoeba histolytica.
parasites enter the liver via the portal vein.
echinococcal cyst
parasitic tapeworms that are common in sheep-herding areas in the world; most commonly found in people under the age of 20.
schistosomiasis
the most common parasitic infection due to bad water
Hematoma
swelling or clotting within the liver tissues
cavernous hemangioma
benign tumor of the liver
liver cell adenoma
benign nodule in the liver that contains hepatocytes; usually solitary.
- 90% are found in women on long-term birth control
- has a halo
focal nodular hyperplasia
second most common benign hepatic mass; contains all cellular elements of normal liver, but lack normal structure.
Lipoma
rare fatty tumor in the liver
(AKA: angiomyolipoma)
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
most common primary malignant liver tumor
metastasis
where cancer spreads to other parts of the body; this is where it effects the tissue, but comes from another primary site
Hemangiosarcoma
a rare, but aggressive malignant tumor in the liver
- exposure to chemicals
liver transplantation
the surgical removal of a liver with the intent of replacing it with another, more healthy liver.
what are some complications of a liver transplant?
- rejection (fluid)
- thrombosis
- biliary stricture
- infection
- neoplasia
what are some reasons someone might need a liver transplant?
- hepatitis C
- cirrhosis
- biliary atresia in infants
mild (grade 1) of fatty infiltration
minimal diffuse increase in hepatic echogenicity with normal visualization of diaphragm and intrahepatic vascular borders.
moderate (grade 2) of fatty infiltration
increased echogenicity with slightly impaired visualization of diaphragm and intrahepatic vascular borders.
severe (grade 3) of fatty infiltration
significant increase in echogenicity of the liver parenchyma, decreased penetration of the posterior segment of the right lobe of the liver, and decreased to poor visualization of the diaphragm and hepatic vessels.
what are 4 causes of fatty infiltration of the liver?
1) obesity
2) excessive alcohol intake
3) diabetes
4) pregnancy
polycystic liver disease
a rare genetic disorder characterized by mutations in genes encoding for proteins involved in the transport of fluid and growth in the epithelial cells of the liver.
autosomal dominant; afffects mainly females over 50
polycystic liver disease
polycystic liver disease on ultrasound
multiple cysts throughout the liver.
criteria for a cyst
- well-defined edges
- filled with fluid
- posterior enhancement
- thin, echogenic walls
what is usually the cause of portal hypertension?
cirrhosis
what is the most common type of glycogen storage disease?
type 1 or Von Gierke disease
- this is where abnormally large amouts of glycogen are deposited in the liver and kidneys.
present with hepatomegaly, and increased echogenicity, 40% with adenomas
glycogen storage disease
ultrasound indicator of diffuse liver disease
gallbladder walls are super thick; looks like a donut
lab values for cirrhosis patients
elevated AST, ALT, and Bilirubin
symptoms of cirrhosis
- N/V
- weight loss
- anorexia
- jaundice
- dark urine
- clay-colored stool
-varicosities
causes of cirrhosis
- alcohol abuse, infection, or viral hepatitis
what are the most common metastatic cancers?
colon, breast, and lung
