Liver Shrinkage or Liver Cirrhosis

Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Test and Diagnosis

1st-order laboratory parameters-obligatory laboratory tests. Small blood count [thrombocytopenia (lack of platelets); anemia (anemia)] Liver parameters – alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT) [only mildly elevated or normal], glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT, gamma-GT; GGT), alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin [bilirubin ↑] CHE (cholinesterase) [CHE ↓, as a sign of liver synthesis disorder] Coagulation … Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Test and Diagnosis

Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Drug Therapy

Therapeutic target To delay the progression (progression) of liver cirrhosis by treating the underlying disease. Therapy recommendations There is no drug therapy for cirrhosis of the liver. However, drug therapy for complications (see below) is possible to some extent: Ascites (abdominal dropsy): diuretics (dehydrating drugs):for moderate ascites: potassium-sparing spironolactone (initially 100 mg/d); if the patient … Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Drug Therapy

Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Diagnostic Tests

Obligatory medical device diagnostics. Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasonography of abdominal organs). For primary diagnosis [changes in liver texture indicate steatosis hepatis (fatty liver) or liver fibrosis; see liver sonography below]. Secondary (in the course diagnostics) every 6 months for screening of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cirrhosis is considered precancerous (possible precursor of cancer)!) Color … Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Diagnostic Tests

Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Micronutrient Therapy

A risk group indicates the possibility that the disease may be associated with the risk of vital substance deficiency (micronutrients). The complaint alcoholic cirrhosis indicates a vital substance (micronutrient) deficiency for: Vitamin A Vitamin B6 Calcium Zinc A risk group indicates the possibility that the disease may be associated with the risk of vital substance … Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Micronutrient Therapy

Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Surgical Therapy

1st order Ascites puncture (abdominal fluid aspiration) – in cases of high-grade thrombocytopenia (deficiency of platelets (thrombocytes): < 20. 000/μl), a prophylactic platelet transfusion is performed before the puncture; anticoagulation (anticoagulation) with acetylsalicylic acid can be continued – on the other hand, a break must be taken in the case of therapy with thienopyridines or … Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Surgical Therapy

Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Prevention

To prevent liver cirrhosis (liver shrinkage), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Consumption of stimulants Alcohol – (woman: > 40 g/day; man: > 60 g/day). Tobacco (smoking, passive smoking) – smoking promotes fibrosis of the liver in the presence of cirrhosis. Drug use Ecstasy (also XTC and others) – … Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Prevention

Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Liver cirrhosis is usually asymptomatic (without symptoms) in the early stages: latent cirrhosis (about 15-25%). The following symptoms and complaints may indicate manifest cirrhosis (liver shrinkage): Limited performance and rapid fatigability (60-80%). Abdominal discomfort (50-60%) Anemia (anemia) Ascites (abdominal fluid) and edema (water retention) in the legs. Dupuytren’s contractures (synonyms: Dupuytren’s contracture, Dupuytren’s disease) – … Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease) The pathohistology of liver cirrhosis includes the following signs: Hepatocellular necrosis (death of liver cells). Proliferation of connective tissue The above changes lead to: Irreversible connective tissue remodeling due to activation of fibrocytes (connective tissue cells) by Ito cells (contain vitamin A and serve to store fat; they are also considered … Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Causes

Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Therapy

General measures Alcohol abstinence (complete abstinence from alcohol). Nicotine restriction (refrain from tobacco use) including passive smoking – smoking promotes fibrosis of the liver. Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on the existing disease. Avoidance of environmental stress: Arsenic Formaldehyde Carbon tetrachloride Vaccinations The following vaccinations are advised, as infection can often lead to … Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Therapy

Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by liver cirrhosis (liver shrinkage): Respiratory system (J00-J99) Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) – vascular dilatation in the pulmonary circulation with development of a right-to-left shunt, resulting in arterial hypoxemia (lack of oxygen in the blood). Blood, blood-forming organs – immune system (D50-D90). … Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Complications

Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Classification

Child-Pugh classification, also called Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, is used to stage liver cirrhosis Parameter 1 point 2 points 3 points Serum albumin > 3.5 g/dL 2.8-3.5 g/dl < 2.8 g/dl Serum bilirubin <2.0 mg/dl 2.0-3.0 mg/dl > 3.0 mg/dl < 35 µmol/l 35-50 µmol/l > 50 µmol/l Bilirubin in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) or primary sclerosing … Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Classification

Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, with attention to skin (liver skin signs) and mucous membrane color and hydration status [jaundice (yellowing of the skin); melanosis (slowly progressive darkening … Liver Shrinkage (Cirrhosis): Examination