Cirrhosis definition

Ultrasound examination is used routinely to evaluate cirrhosis a small, nodular liver with increased echogenicity is consistent with cirrhosis. Liver biopsy is the only way to diagnose cirrhosis definitively, but it is often deferred in lieu of a... 

Some authorities question whether dmnkeimess can result from the inhalation of ethyl alcohol vapors. Experience has demonstrated that in any event such intoxication is indeed rare (281). There is no concrete evidence that the inhalation of ethyl alcohol vapor will cause cirrhosis. Liver function is definitely impaired during alcohol intoxication (282), making the subject more susceptible to the toxic effects of chlorinated hydrocarbons. 

Autoimmune hepatitis typically occurs in females, at puberty and between the ages of 40 and 70. It can also occur in males at any age. It may present in a number of ways as a mild hepatitis, as a severe acute hepatitis or as established cirrhosis. The functioning capacity of the liver will vary depending on the stage of disease. The diagnosis of AIH is based on serum biochemistry, liver histology, and the presence of certain autoantibodies in the serum. Exclusion of other potential causes of hepatitis, e.g. hepatitis B or C, alcohol consumption, is needed before a definitive diagnosis can be made. There are no featnres that are specifically indicative of AIH, but it usually responds to treatment with corticosteroids. Once remission is indnced azathioprine or... 

The disease is a rare inherited disorder characterized by a progressive degeneration of the lenticular nucleus in the brain and by cirrhosis of the liver. Barbeau et al. (Bl) studied a case of Wilson s disease which presented normal ceruloplasmin and serum copper values but increased excretion of kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine, and conjugated anthra-nilic acid in xurine after an oral dose of 2 g L-tryptophan. This defect in tryptophan metabolism could be related to that of other amino acids and to the actual content of ceruloplasmin in Wilson s disease (Bl). These findings corroborated Marver s (M2) investigations demonstrating a definite excretion of kynurenine and 3-hydroxykynurenine in abnormal proportions after a tryptophan load in a case of Wilson s disease. 

Berg, P.A., Klein, R. Antimitochondrial antibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis and other disorders definition and clinical relevance. Dig. Dis. 1992 10 85-101... 

Definitive classification of cirrhosis is difficult. It can be categorized according to its (1.) aetiology, (2.) morphology, (3.) pathogenetic development, and (4.) clinical features. 

Arroyo V, Gines P> Gerbes A, Dudley F, Gentifini P, Laffi G, et al. Definition and diagnostic criteria of refractory ascites and hepatorenal syndrome in cirrhosis. International Ascites Club. Hepatology 1996 23 164-76. 

Diagnosis is far more complex in patients presenting with liver diseases. None of the commonly used parameters alone allows for a definite diagnosis of Wilson disease. Usually a combination of various laboratory parameters is necessary to establish the diagnosis. Kayser-Fleischer rings may be absent in up to 50% of patients with Wilsonian liver disease and even in a higher proportion in fulminant Wdson disease. Kayser-Fleischer rings can occasionally be detected in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. 

In Table II, the vitamin A liver concentrations for adults of various age groups have been calculated on the basis of the data reported by the authors. Subjects suffering from diabetes and liver cirrhosis have been excluded from the survey because these diseases generally are associated with, respectively, abnormally high and low vitamin A contents. In none of the investigations listed in the table was any definite variation Ix tween age and liver vitamin A concentrations observed. 

Treatment of primary hepatoma by the SMANCS/Lipiodol method has been approved in Japan for more than 6 years, since 1995. When the drug is dehvered by intraarterial administration using catheter, this treatment produces definite tumor size reduction (in >90% of cases), improved survival scores, and especially a good quality of life with very little side effect (Table 4). Furthermore, patients can be out of bed within a few days after the procedure (the Seldinger method is used for arterial infusion under the X-ray system). For all cases of primary hepatoma combined (including Child s criteria of A-C cirrhosis), the 5- to 7- year survival rate is about 30% with this method. With other treatments, no survival would be expected during this time frame. Hepatoma patients with milder liver cirrhosis (such... 

---