Pathology of the Liver Flashcards
Describe the basic structure of the liver [8]
- vasculature
- incoming portal vein and hepatic artery
- outgoing hepatic vein
- parenchymal liver cells
- biliary system
- connective tissue matrix
- all arranged as portal tracts and parenchyma
What are the broad causes of injury to the liver? [7]
- drugs (e.g. alcohol)
- abnormal nutrition
- infection
- obstruction to bile/blood flow
- autoimmune liver disease
- genetic/deposition disease
- neoplasia
What are the 4 main parts of the liver all of which are inter-connected with damage to one being damage to all? [4]
- parenchyma,
- blood vessels,
- connective tissue,
- bile ducts
Define acute-on-chronic inflammation in association with liver disease [1]
chronic liver disease that often presents with acute exacerbation plus evidence of underlying chronicity (e.g. fibrosis)
Define cirrhosis [4]
- end stage liver disease, defined by:
- diffuse process
- fibrosis
- nodule formation
What are the histological patterns/causes of diffuse liver disease? [7]
- acute hepatitis
- acute cholestasis or cholestatic hepatitis
- fatty liver disease (steatosis and steatohepatitis)
- chronic hepatitis
- chronic biliary/cholestatic disease
- genetic/deposition disease
- hepatic vascular disease
What are the 3 main causes of acute hepatitis? [3]
- autoimmune,
- viral
- drug (paracetamol overdose)
Describe the histological patterns of acute hepatitis [3]
- diffuse hepatocyte injury seen as swelling
- spotty necrosis
- inflammatory cell infiltrate in all areas: portal tracts, interface and parenchyma
What are the clinical signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis?
- right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain,
- malaise,
- ↑AST/ALT
What are the causes of acute cholestasis (cholestatic) hepatitis? [2]
- extra-hepatic biliary obstruction
- drug injury e.g. antibiotics (augmentin)
What are the histological features of acute cholestasis (cholestatic) hepatitis? [4]
- brown bile
- +/- acute hepatitis (swelling/spotty necrosis)
Which chronic liver diseases may develop fibrosis and progress to cirrhosis? [4]
- fatty liver disease (steatosis and steatohepatitis)
- chronic hepatitis
- chronic biliary/cholestatic disease
- genetic/deposition disease
What are the histological features of Hepatitis B pathology? [4]
- may look like acute hepatitis + fibrosis
- ground glass cytoplasm in hepatocytes → accumulation of “surface antigens” for Hep B
What are the causes of chronic biliary/cholestatic disease? [2]
- primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)
- primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
What are the histological features of chronic biliary/cholestatic disease? [4]
- focal
- portal inflammation
- fibrosis with bile duct injury
- (granulomas in PBC)