MedicoTips.Com

ALT is an abbreviation of Alanine Transaminase, It is also called SGPT, (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase). ALT is basically an enzyme which is found in liver and involved in various metabolic reactions. Its normal blood value is up to 45 international unit. High ALT level in the blood indicates that there is something wrong going on in the liver. Something is damaging the liver cells which result in the release of ALT in the bloodstream. This Liver Injury can be acute or chronic. Read Also: Difference between drug induced and pathological Liver injury . High level of ALT represents structural damage in the liver. Liver parenchymal cells which form the architecture of the liver contain ALT and their damage result in the release of enzymes, including the ALT. The damage may result from various causes. Some of the common causes are listed below. 1. Viral infections: Hepatitis A, B, C and E viruses all attack the liver parenchymal cells and damage them. This result in re...

In this article we will discuss the ultrasonic picture of amoebic liver abscess and its percutaneous aspiration. A 40 year old male patient presented to medical OPD, complaining of severe right hypochondrial pain, high grade fever, vomiting, generalized weakness and anorexia. He had been suffering from these symptoms since last 10 days. He went to several doctor and took oral medication (Oral ciprofloxacin 500mg x BD and Tab Metronidazole 400mg x TDS for 5 days), but his symptoms didn’t improve. He came to Capital Hospital Islamabad where his blood investigations were done which showed leukocytosis and high level of liver enzymes. Latter on his ultrasound was planned which was done by Dr. Siddique Akbar Satti, consultant physician and head of medical department himself. On the ultrasound a single large liver abscess was seen. Below is the ultrasonic view of his liver. In the above ultrasonic view you can see a large ovoid cavity. This is liver abscess. “ Unlike pyogenic liver abscesses...

During a teaching session, Dr Siddique Akbar Satti, Head department of medicine, Capital hospital Islamabad, explained in detail the ultrasonic picture of liver cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma. The 65 year old patient under examination was diagnosed of chronic Hepatitis C 5 years ago. At the time of diagnosis patient already had developed signs of decompensating chronic liver disease. He went through multiple sessions of ascitic tap and supportive therapy in the past 3 years. At the time of this ultrasonic scan, patient presented with complaints of abdominal distension, swelling of both legs and feet and bluish patches all over the extensor surfaces of upper limbs. Patient was also having intermittent episodes of drowsiness and confusion. He had lost significant weight in the past 6 months, was anorexic and feeling constant dull ache in right hypochondrium. All these symptoms suggest decompensated liver disease and liver cirrhosis. Worldwide, 25% cases of Hep C associated cirrh...

Bile is a golden or brownish yellow fluid that is secreted by the parenchymal cells of the liver. It is collected in small ductules that join together to form right and left hepatic bile ducts. The right and left hepatic ducts combine together to form a common hepatic duct. Common hepatic duct joins with the cystic duct to form common bile duct and common bile duct empties into the second part of the duodenum, after joining the pancreatic duct at Ampula of Vater. Cystic duct transport the bile secretion between the gallbladder and the common bile duct. The gallbladder stores the bile. Cholelithiasis and Choledocholithiasis mean the presence of stones in the gallbladder and common bile duct respectively, may occur due to a disturbance in the composition of bile. Composition of Bile Bile is composed of the following ingredients. It is composed mainly of water, inorganic and organic matter Inorganic constitutes: These include sodium, chloride, bicarbonate and potassium. Bicarbonate h...

SPLENOMEGALY or Enlarged Spleen Enlargement of Spleen is called Splenomegaly. Spleen is situated in the left hypochondrium below the stomach. When It is enlarged It can be palpated in the left anterolateral coastal margin. There are various causes of splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen). Some of the causes of splenomegaly (enlarged Spleen) are given below. Causes Of Enlarged Spleen ( Splenomegaly) Congestion Cirrhosis Hepatic vein occlusion Portal or splenic vein thrombosis Congestive cardiac failure Constrictive pericarditis Infections Acute infections Typhoid Fever , septicemia, Infective endocarditis , Infectious mononucleosis, hepatitis, CMV Chronic infections Tuberculosis , brucellosis Parasitic infestation Malaria, kalazar, schistosomiasis, trypanosomiasis Fungal infection Histoplasmosis Inflammation SLE, sarcoidosis, Felty’s syndrome Haematological disorders Hemolytic anaemias Hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemia, Autoimmune hemolyti...

Cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis Cholelithiasis is the presence of calculus (stone) within the gallbladder. The gallbladder has a pear shape, with size approximately 10 cm. It is located near the liver and its function is to store bile. Bile is produced by the liver and is carried to the gallbladder to be stored and disposed of in the presence of food, especially rich in fats. The contraction of the gallbladder occurs when food reaches the small intestine and the bile is poured into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine) and mix with food that came from the stomach. Biliary tree = gallbladder, cystic duct, hepatic duct, right and left hepatic duct and common bile duct Extrahepatic biliary = right and left hepatic duct, common hepatic duct and common bile duct The common hepatic duct is formed by the confluence of the right and left hepatic duct that joins the cystic duct to form the common bile duct that leads to the junction of the common bile duct and the pancr...