Signs and Symptoms II - Liver tumours, Nail morphology Flashcards
What does Icterus refer to?
Jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin
Is unconjugated bilirubin soluble in water?
No
What is cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis implies chronic liver damage.
What are the 2 most common causes of cirrhosis?
Chronic alcohol abuse or chronic HBV/HCV infection
What is WIlson’s disease?
When there is too much copper stored in the body.
When are ALP levels elevated?
When there is large bile duct obstruction, intrahepatic cholestasis, or infiltrative diseases of the liver.
What is the difference between spider naevi and telangiectasias?
Spider naevi fills from the centre, as opposed to telangiectasia that fills from the edge.
Spider naevi has a particular morphology: a central feeder vessel and small vessels coming out from it.
Telangiectasia are visible dilated blood vessels which does not have a particular pattern.
Up to how many spider naevi seen are considered to be normal?
Up to 5 will be considered normal
What is serpinopathy?
alpha1 anti-trypsin deficiency
Alpha 1 antitrypsin is a glycoprotein that is from a family of serine protease inhibitors.
What is leuconychia? What is the most common cause of leuconychia? What is the cause if it’s related to the liver?
Leuconychia is white discoloration appearing on the nails.
Most common cause is injury to the base of the nail.
If related to the liver, it is due to hypoalbuminaemia.
What is Terry’s nails?
It is a physical condition in which a person’s nails appears white with a characteristic “ground glass” appearance without any lanula.
What is palmar erythema?
Redness of the palms due to increased dilatation of capillaries on the surface of the skin.
What is Cholangiocarcinoma?
Cholangiocarcinoma refers to biliary tree cancer.
What are the signs and symptoms of patients with Cholangiocarcinoma?
Fever, abdominal pain with or without ascites, malaise, increase bilirubin and increase alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
What is the most common benign liver tumour? Name another benign liver tumour and state its cause.
Haemangiomas are the commonest benign liver tumours.
Adenomas are also common. They can be caused by anabolic steroids, oral contraceptive pills and pregnancy.
