Session 6- Liver Pathology

Question 1

What are the main functions of the liver?

Answer 1

Storage, synthesis, metabolism and detoxification

Question 2

What are some causes of cirrhosis and is it reversible?

Answer 2

Cirrhosis is irreversible and caused by alcohol misuse, deposition (fat, iron, copper), some autoimmune conditions, chronic infections (HEPb and c)and certain medications

Question 3

What are the stages in alcoholic liver disease that occur before cirrhosis, are these reversible?

Answer 3

In the first few weeks there is a fatty change. Over years alcoholic hepatitis occurs. These changes are both reversible

Question 4

Which condition results in excess deposition of iron within the liver?

Answer 4

Haemochromatosis

Question 5

How is haemochromatosis treated?

Answer 5

Venesection

Question 6

Which condition results in the deposition of copper within the liver and other organs because of reduced secretion in the biliary system?

Answer 6

Wilson’s disease

Question 7

What can arise with restriction of the portal vein?

Answer 7

Portal hypertension

Question 8

Because of hypertension, varices can arise. Where re the most common and dangerous sites of these?

Answer 8

Oesophagus-most dangerous
Anorectal
Umbilical

Question 9

What sign is caused by multiple snake like appearance originating from belly button because of umbilical varices?

Answer 9

Caput medusa

Question 10

What is hepatorenal syndrome?

Answer 10

When acute kidney injury can result from cirrhosis even though no prior damage to kidney

Question 11

What condition can occur if a gallstone becomes impacted in the cystic duct but not as far as the common bile duct?

Answer 11

Acute cholecystitis

Question 12

What is charcots triad and with which condition is it associated?

Answer 12

Jaundice, fever and right upper quadrant pain

Cholangitis

Question 13

What condition can occur because of impaction of a gallstone in the more proximal common bile duct?

Answer 13

Cholangitis

Question 14

What condition can occur if a gallstone becomes impacted in the distal biliary tree and blocks pancreatic secretions?

Answer 14

Acute pancreatitis

Question 15

Into what 3 divisions can jaundice be divided?

Answer 15

Pre-hepatic, hepatic, post-hepatic

Question 16

When does pre-hepatic jaundice occur?

Answer 16

When there is an excessive haem breakdown

Question 17

When does hepatic jaundice occur?

Answer 17

When there is reduced liver function

Question 18

When would post-hepatic jaundice occur?

Answer 18

If there is an obstruction in the biliary tree

Question 19

In which type of jaundice would there be raised conjugated bilirubin levels?

Answer 19

Post hepatic

Question 20

In which type of jaundice would there be raised unconjugated bilirubin levels?

Answer 20

Pre-hepatic

Question 21

What symptoms related to stool and urine would be present with post-hepatic jaundice?

Answer 21

Pale stool and dark urine

Question 22

ALT and AST are increased in plasma when there is liver damage. Which would be higher if the liver damage was acute?

Answer 22

ALT

Question 23

Which compound in the blood would be elevated if there was pathology leading to cholestasis?

Answer 23

ALP, this is found in cells lining the biliary tree and so more is released when there is damage in that area