Fulminant Hepatic Failure

Fulminant hepatic failure is a syndrome in which there occurs hepatic encephalopathy caused by sudden severe impairment of hepatic function or due to sudden severe hepatic malfunction. Fulminant hepatic failure is said to occur when hepatic encephalopathy occur within the four weeks of onset of symptoms and there is no pre-existing liver disease.

Causes-

1.      Viral hepatitis.

2.      Hepatotoxic drugs or medicines.

3.      Pregnancy.

4.      Hepatitis caused due to autoimmune disease.

5.      Poisoning.

6.      Wilson’s disease.


Symptoms-

1.      Elevated or increased ammonia in blood.

2.      Tiredness, nausea and vomiting.

3.      Right hypochondrical pain is there.

4.      Enlarged liver is there in initial stages but shrinked liver in later stages.

5.      Ascites and oedema is there in advanced stage of disease.

6.      Drowsiness, coma and convulsions.

7.      Cerebral oedema and increased blood pressure and hyperventilation and profuse sweating are there.

Investigations-

Investigations that are required to diagnose fulminant hepatic failure are-

1.      Urine test.

2.      WBC test.

3.      Serum bilirubin test.

4.      Liver function test.

5.      EEG test.

6.      Ultrasound of abdomen.

7.      CSF test.

8.      Intracranial pressure monitoring.

9.      Blood test.

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