[Interpretation of liver tests is decisive for the choice of examination in hepatocellular jaundice].
Patients with jaundice are looked after by many different specialists: general internists, general surgeons, specialists in infectious diseases and gastroenterologists. Overuse of radiological methods has been demonstrated recently in patients hospitalized for jaundice in Sweden probably due to a lack of experience in interpretation of pathological liver tests especially in patients with hepatocellularjaundice. Two cases of hepatocellular jaundice with a diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis are described. This condition led in one case to severe liver failure and to severe jaundice in the other case. These cases illustrate the consequences of delayed diagnosis and lack of treatment early in the course of autoimmune hepatitis. Furthermore the common delay in contact with a liver transplant center in patients with severe liver failure is discussed. It is concluded that specialized units should investigate patients with jaundice and a medical gastroenterologist should be contacted early in the hospitalization of these patients.
Björnsson
Einar
E
Medicinkliniken, gastrosektionen, Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset, Göteborg. einar.bjornsson@medic.gu.se
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006530:Hepatorenal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007565:Jaundice / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged