Cirrhosis differential diagnosis

Cirrhosis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Cirrhosis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Tertiary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case studies
Case #1
Cirrhosis differential diagnosis On the Web
Most recent articles
cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Cirrhosis differential diagnosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Cirrhosis differential diagnosis
CDC on Cirrhosis differential diagnosis
Cirrhosis differential diagnosis in the news
Blogs on Cirrhosis differential diagnosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Cirrhosis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Cirrhosis differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]

Differentiating Cirrhosis from other Diseases

Differentiating Cirrhosis from other Diseases Based on Ascitic Fluid

Ascites may be caused by portal hypertension due to cirrhosis of liver or due to other causes like malignancies etc.,

Ascitic fluid analysis should be done to broadly categorize the cause of ascites.

Ascites is broadly classified as two types based on the serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG):

• Transudate - SAAG > 1.1 g/dL (indicates the ascites is due to portal hypertension).
• Exudate - SAAG < 1.1 g/dL (indicates the ascites is due to non-portal hypertension etiology).

Condition	Differentiating Signs and Symptoms	Differentiating Tests
Constrictive pericarditis	Increased jugular venous pressure, atrial fibrillation, and tachycardia. Quiet heart sounds with a third heart sound (ventricular knock) present.	EKG will show tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, low-voltage QRS complexes and T wave abnormalities. Doppler ultrasound will show ventricular filling abnormalities.
Budd-Chiari Syndrome	Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and worsening ascites.	Doppler ultrasound and CT of the abdomen will show absence of the hepatic vein filling. Abdominal CT will show a rapid clearing of the caudate lobe of the liver.
Splenic vein thrombosis	Similar signs and symptoms of pancreatitis with upper abdominal pain radiating to the back, vomiting, poor bowel sounds, fever and shock. Cullen's sign and Grey-Turner's sign may be present.	An ultrasound of the abdomen and CT will show evidence of a splenic vein thrombosis. Normal hepatic venous pressure gradient is present.
Portal vein thrombosis	Will depend on the underlying cause. If pancreatitis is present, upper abdominal pain radiating to the back, vomiting, poor bowel sounds, fever and shock. Cullen's sign and Grey-Turner's sign may be present. If the cause is ascending cholagitis, fever, rigors, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, and pale stools may be seen. If abdominal sepsis is the cause, fever, abdominal pain and other signs of peritonitis will be seen.	Doppler ultrasound and abdominal CT will show a portal vein filling defect, and absence of flow in the portal vein. MR or direct angiography will show a normal hepatic venous pressure gradient.
Schistosomiasis	The presentation of drug molecules by major histocompatability complexes to T cells, causing the release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Also associated with the activation of eosinophils, monocytes, and neutrophils.	rashes, organ tissue damage, contact sensitivity.
Sarcoidosis	The presentation of drug molecules by major histocompatability complexes to T cells, causing the release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Also associated with the activation of eosinophils, monocytes, and neutrophils.	rashes, organ tissue damage, contact sensitivity.
Inferior vena cava obstruction	The presentation of drug molecules by major histocompatability complexes to T cells, causing the release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Also associated with the activation of eosinophils, monocytes, and neutrophils.	rashes, organ tissue damage, contact sensitivity.