Clinical medicineLesson 1 of 1 in the course Gastrointestinal and liver disease

Cirrhosis: Causes, Diagnosis, Management, and Complications

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Cirrhosis is a chronic condition in which healthy liver tissue is progressively replaced by scar tissue and regenerating nodules. Understanding how this structural change affects blood flow and liver function helps explain the symptoms and complications that develop.

The liver’s normal functioning tissue is called the parenchyma. Repeated or prolonged injury causes liver cells to die and the organ to repair itself. Over time, repair produces fibrosis (scar tissue) and nodules of regenerating hepatocytes. These changes disrupt the liver’s normal architecture.

All flashcards

What is cirrhosis?
Chronic liver disease in which fibrosis and regenerative nodules disrupt normal liver architecture and function.
What is portal hypertension?
Elevated pressure in the portal venous system, commonly caused by increased resistance to blood flow through a cirrhotic liver.
How do compensated and decompensated cirrhosis differ?
Compensated cirrhosis has sufficient function to limit major complications; decompensated cirrhosis has significant complications such as ascites or encephalopathy.
What is ascites?
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
Why can jaundice occur in cirrhosis?
Impaired bilirubin clearance can cause bilirubin to accumulate, yellowing the skin or eyes.

Quiz questions

  1. Which group contains three major causes of cirrhosis?Answer: Alcohol-related liver disease, chronic hepatitis B or C, and metabolic liver disease.
  2. What is required for hepatitis D infection to occur?Answer: Concurrent hepatitis B infection.
  3. How often is abdominal ultrasound generally recommended for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in cirrhosis?Answer: Every six months.
  4. Which approach may be used to manage ascites in cirrhosis?Answer: Sodium restriction and diuretics, with fluid removal when needed.
  5. How can palliative care support a person with cirrhosis?Answer: It can relieve symptoms and support quality of life alongside other treatments.

Based on the Wikipedia article Cirrhosis, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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