Liver disease

Definition

The term "liver disease" applies to many conditions that stop the liver from working or prevent it from functioning well. Abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or abnormal results of liver function tests may suggest you have liver disease.

Related topics include:

Images

Fatty liver - CT scan
Liver with disproportional fattening - CT scan
Cirrhosis of the liver
Liver

References

Anstee QM, Jones DEJ. Liver and biliary tract disease. In: Walker BR, Colledge NR, Ralston SH, Penman ID, eds. Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2014:chap 23.

Martin P. Approach to the patient with liver disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 146.

Hepatobiliary Disease 

Hepatobiliary disease refers to a disorder of the liver and/or bile tract. Patients with this type of condition can be seen by hepatologists, surgeons, oncologists, pathologists and interventional radiologists who evaluate and treat patients for benign and malignant liver conditions. Hepatobiliary diseases include:

  • Hepatitis
  • Primary and metastatic liver tumors
  • Cystic disease of the liver
  • Gall bladder and bile duct tumors
  • Biliary stricture and injuries
  • Other diseases of the liver
  • Benign liver masses

There are a full range of minimally invasive procedures and traditional services available to treat liver and bile tract conditions.

Review Date: 
4/2/2018
Reviewed By: 
Michael M. Phillips, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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