Early detection of liver disease is key to successful treatment. Our specialists work with you to ensure an accurate diagnosis in order to develop a customized, effective treatment plan quickly.
Part of this process includes:
- Symptom review
- Physical exam
- Diagnostic testing
- Treatment planning
Common liver disease symptoms may include:
- Jaundice—yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes white due to abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the blood stream
- Cholestasis—reduced or stopped bile flow; may be blocked in or outside of the liver
- Liver enlargement—physical liver enlargement, abdominal distention / bloating can occur
- Portal hypertension—abnormally high blood pressure due to increased blood pressure in the portal blood vessels or resistance to blood flow through the liver
- Ascites—build up of fluid in the abdominal cavity
- Liver encephalopathy / hepatic coma—deterioration of brain function due to toxic substances building up in the blood, normally filtered out by the liver
- Liver failure—severe / acute weakening of liver function
Diagnostic testing may include:
- Blood work
- Imaging (X-ray / CT scan / ultrasound)
- Liver tissue tests / biopsy
- Laparoscopy
- Genetic tests
Dependent upon your diagnosis, treatment planning may include:
- Medication
- Nutritional therapy dietary changes, vitamin supplements, hydration
- Lifestyle changes avoidance of drugs and alcohol, exercise
- Surgery endoscopy, liver or partial liver transplant and liver resection
- Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to destroy abnormal tissue
- Abdominal paracentesis needle is used to drain fluid that has accumulated in the liver
- TACE (transareterial chemoemboliazation) administers drugs directly into a tumor
- TARE (transarterial radioembolization) delivers a targeted, high dose of radiation is specific area
Did you know you can list with multiple transplant centers?