Cirrhosis Tests
Imaging Tests
Imaging Tests Imaging is essential for accurately diagnosing biliary tract disorders and is important for detecting focal liver lesions (eg, abscess, tumor). It is limited in detecting and diagnosing diffuse hepatocellular disease (eg, hepatitis, cirrhosis). Ultrasonography: Ultrasonography, traditionally done transabdominally and requiring a period of fasting, provides structural, but not functional, information. It is the…
Read MoreExams and Tests
Exams and Tests Cirrhosis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when inflammation and scarring damage the liver. A physical examination and medical history will be done first to assess symptoms of liver disease, to see whether liver disease is severe enough to cause signs of cirrhosis, and to help determine possible causes of liver…
Read MoreCreatinine Blood Test
What is creatinine? Creatinine is a chemical waste molecule that is generated from muscle metabolism. Creatinine is produced from creatine, a molecule of major importance for energy production in muscles. Approximately 2% of the body’s creatine is converted to creatinine every day. Creatinine is transported through the bloodstream to the kidneys. The kidneys filter out…
Read MoreCreatinine and Creatinine Clearance
Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance Creatinine and creatinine clearance tests measure the level of the waste product creatinine in your blood and urine. These tests tell how well your kidneys are working. The substance creatine is formed when food is changed into energy through a process calledmetabolism. Creatine is broken down into another substance called creatinine,…
Read MoreCirrhosis and Chronic Liver Failure: Part II. Complications and Treatment
Complications and Treatment JOEL J. HEIDELBAUGH, M.D., and MARYANN SHERBONDY, M.D. University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan Major complications of cirrhosis include ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatic encephalopathy, portal hypertension, variceal bleeding, and hepatorenal syndrome. Diagnostic studies on ascitic fluid should include a differential leukocyte count, total protein level, a serum-ascites albumin gradient,…
Read MoreCirrhosis and Chronic Liver Failure: Part I. Diagnosis and Evaluation
Diagnosis and Evaluation JOEL J. HEIDELBAUGH, M.D., and MICHAEL BRUDERLY, M.D. University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan This is part I of a two-part article on cirrhosis and chronic liver failure. Part II, “Complications and Treatment,” appears in this issue of AFP on page 767. Cirrhosis and chronic liver failure are leading causes…
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