What Is Liver Failure?
Article Sources
- 1. Gagan K et al. Acute liver failure. Medscape: Drugs and Diseases (2019) https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/177354-overview
- 2. Mayo Clinic. Diseases and Conditions: Liver Disease. (2020) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/symptoms-causes/syc-20374502
- 3. Wolf, David C. et al. Cirrhosis. Medscape: Drugs and Diseases (2018) https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/185856-overview
6. Diagnosis
During an initial physical exam, a doctor will palpate the patient’s abdomen to determine whether there is a pain in the upper right side, and to estimate the size of the liver. A liver that is smaller than normal can indicate loss of tissue due to necrosis, while an enlarged liver may suggest heart failure or hepatitis.1Gagan K et al. Acute liver failure. Medscape: Drugs and Diseases (2019) https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/177354-overview
Doctors generally confirm their initial diagnosis with the results of blood and urine tests, which can offer clues about liver function and blood clotting abilities. Ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans provide an image of the liver and surrounding organs.1Gagan K et al. Acute liver failure. Medscape: Drugs and Diseases (2019) https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/177354-overview
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