Liver Pathology Flashcards
What is fulminant hepatic failure?
Hepatic encephalopathy occurring within 2 weeks of onset of other symptoms of acute liver failure
What is acute liver disease?
Rapid development of hepatic dysfunction without prior liver disease - less than 6 months duration
Give some causes for acute liver failure
Drugs (paracetamol, co-amoxiclav, Flucloxacilin, NSAIDs, co-codamol)
alcohol
Chronic liver disease (acute on chronic)
Viral hepatitis (C,B,A)
CMV and EBV
Budd Chiari (thrombosis of hepatic veins)
AFLP
What investigations are carried out for acute liver failure?
LFTs
PT
USS
Virology
Treatment for acute liver failure
Rest up to 6 months NO alcohol Fluids Monitor and supplement electrolytes Observations for FHF
Complications of FHF
Encephalopathy Hypoglycaemia Coagulopathy Infection circulatory failure renal failure
Treatment for FHF
Supportive
Inotropes and fluid
management of raised ICP
Renal transplantation if required
What is hepatic encephalopathy?
neurological disorder caused by metabolic failure of the hepatocytes and shunting of blood around the liver
Symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy
Disturbances in consciousness
Liver flap tremor
Fluctuating neurological signs (muscular rigidity and hyper-reflexia)
Treatment for Hepatic encephalopathy
look for cause and treat it
Lactulose - to clear gut of NH4
Rifaximin
Nutrition and fluid
What does an increased BMI do to risk of liver disease?
Increase it
How is cirrhosis defined?
Common end point for liver disease
irreversible
bands of fibrosis separating regenerative nodules of hepatocytes
What is alpha feto-protein?
A tumour marker for hepatocellular and testicular carcinoma
How is cirrhosis defined?
Common end point for liver disease
irreversible
bands of fibrosis separating regenerative nodules of hepatocytes
What is alpha feto-protein?
A tumour marker for hepatocellular and testicular carcinoma
