[Hepatology] Introduction

Hepatologists specialise in diseases of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and biliary tract.
There is significant overlap with gastroenterology and infectiology.

 

Etymology

Ancient Greek ἧπᾰρ, ἥπᾰτος (hêpar, hḗpatos) = liver
Ancient Greek λογία (logia) = study

 

History taking

 

Physical examination

 

Digestive system diseases

 

Common diseases:

• Cholelithiasis (gallstones) 
• Cholecystolithiasis (stones in the gallbladder)
• Choledocholithiasis (stones in the common bile duct)
• Ascending cholangitis (inflammation of the common bile duct)
• Acute cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
• Chronic liver disease 
• Liver cirrhosis
• Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)  
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) 
• Hepatitis
• Viral 
• Autoimmune 
• Alcoholic 
• Drug overdose  
• Liver cancer  

 

Other diseases:

• Hepatorenal syndrome 
• Metabolic disorders 
• Wilson's disease 
• Hereditary haemochromatosis  
• Aflatoxin poisoning