Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- cirrhosis
- more severe liver disease
- alcohol abuse
- hepatitis B or C infection
- ascites
- spider angioma
- caput medusa
- jaundice
- encephalopathy
- hematemesis
- melena
- hematochezia
- HIV coinfection
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- CBC
- coagulation profile (INR/prothrombin time)
- serum LFTs
- BUN and creatinine
- blood typing/cross-matching
- hepatitis B serology
- hepatitis C serology
- esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors VIEW ALL
Chief of Gastroenterology
Department of Gastroenterology
Ospedale V. Cervello
Palermo
Italy
Disclosures
GDA declares that he has no competing interests.
Consultant Gastroenterologist
Department of Gastroenterology
Ospedale V. Cervello
Palermo
Italy
Disclosures
GM declares that he has no competing interests.
Dr Gennaro D'Amico and Dr Giuseppe Malizia would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Vikram Boolchand and Dr Thomas Boyer, the previous contributors to this monograph. VB and TB declare that they have no competing interests.
Peer reviewers VIEW ALL
Instructor in Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Director of Clinical Research
The Celiac Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston
MA
Disclosures
DL declares that he has no competing interests.
Instructor in Medicine
Liver Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Harvard Medical School
Boston
MA
Disclosures
GLB declares that he has no competing interests.
Director of Internal Medicine
Policlinico of Internal Medicine
University of Milan
Milan
Italy
Disclosures
FS declares that he has no competing interests.
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