Session #6 Discussion – “Oh my liver/Kidney!”

For this week’s discussion, choose a topic from this week’s lecture and develop a case study that highlights the signs and symptoms of your chosen condition. Do not reveal your condition in your original post.

Reply to at least 2 of your classmate’s case studies with 1) What you think their condition is and 2) Why do you think it is this condition – provide at least 1 resource to support your rationale(s).

Respond to your classmates and indicate if they answered correctly or not.

Example:

Case Study: A Teacher With Signs Liver Problems

Laurie is a 56 year old high school teacher. She is overweight with a history of diabetes, hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, and chronic arthritis. Because of the stress of teaching she often unwinds at night with a drink or two (or three). For her arthritis she takes an herbal medicine recommended by a co-worker as a Chinese wonder drug. She also takes medication for her diabetes and hypertension together with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

She went to her doctor because she noted that her belly was expanding and her clothes were no longer fitting. The doctor noted signs suspicious of hypertension. Her liver function tests were elevated. She did not have any known exposures to chemicals.

An image-guided needle biopsy of the liver was performed by a radiologist without complications. The radiologist noted some ascites fluid during the procedure. The radiologist did not see abnormalities of the bile ducts or evidence of sclerosing cholangitis, although it was noted that gallbladder showed several large gallstones.

The liver biopsy showed bridging fibrosis but no clear evidence of cirrhosis. No excess of iron was seen on iron stain.

The gastroenterologist took a careful medication history and excluded potential hepatotoxic drug exposures. He reviewed the herbal remedy and did not think that it was likely to be hepatotoxic based on its reported ingredients. In light of the patient’s history and findings the gastroenterologist made the diagnosis of what??