Liver Cirrhosis With Edema

Overview

Liver Cirrhosis is a chronic, degenerative disease characterized by the replacement of normal tissue with diffuse fibrosis and it is an irreversible liver damage. As a complication, there is increased pressure in the portal vein which leads to edema.

Signs and Symptoms

Yellowish discolouration of the skin and eyes, Skin itchiness (pruritus), Swelling of legs (leg edema), Ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen), Palmar erythema, Leuconychia, Spider naevi, Gynaecomastia, Loss of body hair, Hepatomegaly, Splenomegaly, Testicular atrophy

Common Causes

Chronic alcohol abuse, Chronic viral hepatitis, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Autoimmune liver disease, Primary sclerosing cholangitis, Cystic fibrosis, Wilson disease, Alpha-antitrypsin deficiency, Hemochromatosis, Budd-Chiari syndrome, Cryptogenic, Drugs such as amiodarone and methotrexate

Risk Factors

Alcohol abuse, Obesity, Viral hepatitis infection such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, Genetic disorders, Autoimmune disorders

Investigation Techniques

Full blood count, Liver function test, Serum electrolytes, Serum creatinine, Serum alpha-fetoprotein, Ultrasound of liver, CT scan, MRI scan, Endoscopy, Liver biopsy

Treatment and Prevention

Sodium and fluid restriction, Diuretic therapy, Paracentesis