Metabolic and Autoimmune Liver Diseases Flashcards
What is hepatic steatosis?
Fatty liver.
Macrovesicular fat around central vein.
List 3 main liver conditions that can be caused by chronic alcohol abuse.
- Hepatic steatosis
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
(Increased risk of HCC)
What would indicate Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease over non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)?
- Hx of alcohol consumption
- lack of findings for metabolic syndrome
- elevated GGT
- AST:ALT ratio > 2
What are signs of hepatic decompensation in alcoholic hepatitis?
Ascites and encephalopathy
What are lab findings in Alcoholic Hepatitis?
- AST:ALT > 2
- elevated GGT and ALP
- elevated bilirubin
- elevated INR
- low albumin
What is the treatment of Alcoholic Hepatitis?
Cessation of alcohol use.
Steroids or pentoxyfilline.
What is the main cause for elevated liver blood tests?
Fatty liver disease
What is the hallmark lab result for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis?
Presence of AMA (antimitochondrial antibody)
What is the treatment of Primary Biliary Cirhosis?
Liver transplant is the only life-saving procedure.
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and immunosuppressives slow progression.
What is Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis?
Chronic progressive liver disease with cholestasis, inflammation, and fibrosis of both INTRA- and EXTRA-hepatic BILE DUCTS.
Leads to portal hypertension and cirrhosis.
What lab tests are abnormally high in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis?
Autoantibodies:
- antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)
- antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
What is the preferred way to evaluate the bile ducts?
MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography)
–> ERCP increases risk of infection
What is hemochromatosis?
Excess absorption of Iron.
- -> can be hereditary
- -> can be toxic to heart, liver, and pancreas
