Mod 6-2 Cirrhosis Flashcards
What is cirrhosis?
Chronic destruction of the liver cells and liver structure, followed by fibrosis and altered function.
______ are ___ more likely to develop cirrhosis.
Men; 2
What are the causes of cirrhosis?
- alcohol/malnutrition
- postnecrotic viral hepatitis
- hepatotoxic drugs and chemicals
- disease of bile ducts
- excessive deposition of iron pigment within the liver (hemochromatosis)
What percentage of cirrhosis cases are caused by alcohol/malnutrition?
30-50%
What happens to liver cells in cirrhosis?
They become damaged and are replaced with fibrotic connective tissue (scar tissue) which ahs no liver function.
What is apparent in a liver with cirrhosis?
Grey nodules and yellowish fat
What happens in the early stages of cirrhosis?
The liver enlarges as it reconstructs itself in the nodular pattern and as the thick fibrous scar tissue builds.
What happens as cirrhosis becomes advanced?
Fibrous tissue shrinks and liver becomes smaller
What are the clinical manifestations of advanced cirrhosis?
Jaundice, ascites & edema, confused/disoriented, flapping tremor (shaking), sleepy, coma.
How may cirrhosis lead to jaundice?
From destruction of liver cells or obstruction of bile ducts.
Why will ascites be present in cirrhosis patients?
From the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity.
What causes the confusion/disorientation and shaking in cirrhosis patients?
The accumulation of ammonia in the blood
Waht is the most characteristic sign of alcholic cirrhosis that must be dealt with when radiographing the patient?
Ascites
What else is destroyed as the liver cells are destroyed?
The body’s ability to limit such accumulations (ascites) of fluid outside the body’s cells is destroyed as well.
How is fluid collected in the abdominal cavity seen radiographically?
As a general haziness of the abdominal area.
