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Liver Cirrhosis

Liver Cirrhosis

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Cirrhosis of the liver is characterized by scarring of the liver tissue and impairment of hepatic functions.
  • As the scar tissue forms, it blocks hepatic blood flow.
Cirrhosis of the liver is the end-stage of various chronic liver diseases:
  • Hepatitis B & C
  • Alcohol overuse
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (a metabolic syndrome)
Parasitic infections (shistosomiasis caused by S. japonicum*)
Histopathology
  • Hepatocyte necrosis, with replacement via fibrosis and regenerating hepatocytes.
Complications
  • Portal hypertension and liver failure, which can the following effects:
    • Esophageal varices, splenomegaly, edema in the lower extremity, hemorrhoids, spider nevi/angioma, jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy, etc.
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma