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Cirrhosis, also known as liver cirrhosis or hepatic cirrhosis, chronic liver failure or chronic hepatic failure and end-stage liver disease, is a condition of the liver in which the normal functioning tissue, or parenchyma, is replaced with scar tissue and regenerative nodules as a result of chronic liver disease.
The causes for portal hypertension are classified as originating in the portal venous system before it reaches the liver (prehepatic causes), within the liver (intrahepatic) or between the liver and the heart (post-hepatic). The most common cause is cirrhosis (chronic liver failure). Other causes include: [1] [10] [11] Prehepatic causes
Portal hypertensive gastropathy refers to changes in the mucosa of the stomach in patients with portal hypertension; by far the most common cause of this is cirrhosis of the liver. These changes in the mucosa include friability of the mucosa and the presence of ectatic blood vessels at the surface.
Axial CT showing esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension. Dilated submucosal veins are the most prominent histologic feature of esophageal varices. The expansion of the submucosa leads to elevation of the mucosa above the surrounding tissue, which is apparent during endoscopy and is a key diagnostic feature.
Varices usually occur in the venous system, but may also occur in arterial or lymphatic vessels. [1] Examples of varices include: [citation needed] Varicose veins, large tortuous veins usually found on legs; Sublingual varices; Esophageal varices, commonly stemming from cirrhosis of the liver, also known as oesophageal varicose
This leads to varices in the esophagus and stomach, which can bleed; B) a needle has been introduced (via the jugular vein) and is passing from the hepatic vein into the portal vein; c) the tract is dilated with a balloon; D) after placement of a stent, portal pressure is normalized and the coronary and umbilical veins no longer fill.
Gastric varices are dilated submucosal veins in the lining of the stomach, which can be a life-threatening cause of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. They are most commonly found in patients with portal hypertension , or elevated pressure in the portal vein system, which may be a complication of cirrhosis .
Esophageal inflammation and erosive disease are the next most common causes. [3] In those with liver cirrhosis, 50–60% of bleeding is due to esophageal varices. [3] Approximately half of those with peptic ulcers have an H. pylori infection. [3] Other causes include Mallory-Weiss tears, cancer, and angiodysplasia. [2]
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