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Alcoholic hepatitis

Diagnosis

  • Liver biopsy

    Liver biopsy

    Liver biopsy

    A liver biopsy is a procedure to remove a small sample of liver tissue for laboratory testing. A liver biopsy is commonly performed by inserting a thin needle through your skin and into your liver.

Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and ask about your history of alcohol consumption. It is important to be honest in describing your drinking habits. Your doctor might ask to interview family members about your drinking.

To test for liver disease, your doctor might recommend:

  • Liver function tests
  • Blood tests
  • An ultrasound, CT or MRI scan of the liver
  • A liver biopsy, if other tests and imaging don't provide a clear diagnosis or if you are at risk of other causes of hepatitis
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Symptoms & causesTreatment
Nov. 25, 2015
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References
  1. Friedman SL. Alcoholic hepatitis: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Sept. 11, 2015.
  2. Ferri FF. Alcoholic hepatitis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2016. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2016. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 12, 2015.
  3. Singal AK, et al. Alcoholic hepatitis: Current challenges and future directions. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2014;12:555.
  4. Kumar V, et al, eds. Liver and gallbladder. In: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2015. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 11, 2015.
  5. Walker BR, et al, eds. Liver and biliary tract disease. In: Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. 22th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2014. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 11, 2015.
  6. Friedman SL. Alcoholic hepatitis: Natural history and management. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Sept. 11, 2015.
  7. AskMayoExpert. Initial evaluation for alcoholic liver disease. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2014.
  8. Goldman L, et al, eds. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2016. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 12, 2015.
  9. Mathurin P, et al. Trends in the management and burden of alcoholic liver disease. Journal of Hepatology. 2015;62:538.
  10. Anderson-Shaw L, et al. Ethical issues in liver transplantation. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Sept. 11, 2015.
  11. Cirrhosis. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/liver-disease/cirrhosis/Pages/facts.aspx#cause. Accessed Sept. 12, 2015.
  12. Rohren CH (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 1, 2015.

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Alcoholic hepatitis

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