Liver Cirrhosis
Portal Hypertension is one of the long term complications of liver cirrhosis.
What our notes say
- Portal Hypertension is one of the long term complications of liver cirrhosis. (4.WK 4 PORTAL HYPERTENSION)
- Portal HT is responsible for the varices and ascites seen in liver cirrhosis. (4.WK 4 PORTAL HYPERTENSION)
- A complication of liver cirrhosis characterized by: mental/ neurological disturbances in presence of liver failure. (WK 7 LIVER CIRROSIS)
- List the radiological findings in liver cirrhosis (5 marks) (Internal Medicine CAT 1 (MBIM 6112), 2019/2020: gastroenterology and hepatology,)
- Imaging: ultrasound for fatty liver, cirrhosis, portal hypertension and tumour (alpha-fetoprotein if cirrhotic). (Internal Medicine CAT 1 (MBIM 6112), 2019/2020: gastroenterology and hepatology,)
- Hyponatraemia: Excess free water intake, SIADH, heart failure, liver cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, thiazide diuretics, adrenal insufficiency — Severe malaria (SIADH), TB meningitis (SIADH), HIV‑associated adrenal disease, chronic diarrhoea from dysentery (Sodium, potassium and calcium disorders)
Study material on Liver Cirrhosis
- Liver Cirrhosis and Complications
- Abnormal Liver Enzymes
- WK 7 LIVER CIRROSIS
- BABY NELSON PEADS
- Internal Medicine CAT 1 (MBIM 6112), 2019/2020: gastroenterology and hepatology, 30 MCQs and 4 short answers
- 4.WK 4 PORTAL HYPERTENSION
- Acute Viral Hepatitis
- L26- GI bleeding
Practice questions on Liver Cirrhosis
Gynecomastia in a patient with liver cirrhosis occurs because of
- Direct oestrogen secretion by hepatocellular carcinoma cells
- Increased androgen production stimulating breast ductal growth
- Impaired hepatic metabolism of oestrogens causing relative excess
- Portal hypertension causing direct hormonal effects on breast tissue
Answer: C. Cirrhosis impairs hepatic oestrogen metabolism, leading to relative oestrogen excess over androgens. This oestrogen-androgen imbalance drives ductal proliferation causing gynecomastia.
A patient with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension may experience ascites due to:
- Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure in the peritoneal cavity.
- Increased plasma albumin synthesis by the liver.
- Excessive absorption of fluid from the peritoneal cavity.
- Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure and decreased plasma oncotic pressure.
Answer: D. Ascites (fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity) in liver cirrhosis is primarily caused by two factors: increased capillary hydrostatic pressure due to portal hypertension, which pushes fluid out of the splanchnic circulation, and decreased plasma oncotic pressure due to impaired albumin synthesis by the diseased liver, which reduces the osmotic pull of fluid back into the capillaries. This leads to net fluid mo