Liver Cirrhosis (Clinical essentials) - Dr. Kiran Peddi MRCP(UK), FRCP(London), CCT(Gastro)

📌𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 :-
  / drgbhanuprakash  

Cirrhosis is a condition caused by chronic damage to the liver, most commonly due to excessive alcohol consumption, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or hepatitis C infection. Other causes may include inflammatory or metabolic diseases, such as primary biliary cirrhosis or hemochromatosis. Cirrhosis is characterized by hepatic parenchymal necrosis and an inflammatory response to the underlying cause. Subsequent hepatic repair mechanisms lead to fibrosis and abnormal tissue architecture, which impair liver function. Patients can present with a range of symptoms, including ascites, hepatosplenomegaly; and skin manifestations of cirrhosis, such as jaundice, spider angioma, and/or palmar erythema. Men may further display signs of feminization (e.g., gynecomastia, hypogonadism). In severe cases, accumulation of toxic metabolites or involvement of further organs can lead to complications such as hepatic encephalopathy or hepatorenal syndrome. Laboratory tests show signs of hepatocyte damage (e.g., elevated liver enzymes, hyperbilirubinemia) or impaired hepatic synthetic function (e.g., prolonged prothrombin time, low albumin). Abdominal ultrasonography typically shows shrunken, heterogeneous liver parenchyma with a nodular surface. A biopsy is the method of choice for confirming the diagnosis. However, it is usually only performed if previous diagnostic modalities were inconclusive. Management consists of treatment of the underlying disease (e.g., avoiding toxic substances, antiviral drugs), adequate caloric intake, and medication for treating complications (e.g., spironolactone for ascites). In cases of decompensated cirrhosis, interventional procedures (e.g., paracentesis to drain ascites) may be used to alleviate symptoms or bridge the time until liver transplantation is possible.

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