Acute liver failure is a rare condition that is characterized by the rapid deterioration of liver function that occurs among individuals without the pre-existing liver disease. Acute liver failure can also cause serious complications such as increased pressure in the brain and excessive bleeding and is treated as a medical emergency. Individuals with this condition can deteriorate in health within few days or weeks and can be fatal if left untreated. Depending on the cause of the acute liver failure, the treatment can reverse the damage although, in most of the cases, the only treatment option is the liver transplant.
Causes
Liver damage occurs when the liver cells are unable to effectively function. It can develop as the result of a number of causes such as hepatitis A or B, alcohol consumption in excess, medication abuse such as acetaminophen, ingestion of poisons, certain prescription medications and the lack of blood supply to the liver. It can also develop as the result of autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis when the immune system attacks the healthy cells, metabolic diseases such as Wilson’s disease and cancer. It is estimated that around 20% of the acute liver failure among adults have no apparent cause.
Symptoms
Most of the affected individuals become ill rapidly with the complete liver collapse occurring within a short duration of a week or less. The symptoms may begin as fatigue, nausea, feeling unwell and abdominal discomfort. Most of the cases present jaundice which may go unnoticed until late. Additional symptoms include abdominal swelling, confusion and vomiting. Some of the complications that can also develop include cerebral edema which is the fluid accumulation causing increased pressure in the brain, bleeding disorders and kidney failure.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on the evaluation of the medical history, the symptoms evident, use of medications and past medical problems. The diagnosis includes blood tests to determine the function of the liver, imaging tests such as an ultrasound to show liver damage and the liver biopsy involving a procedure that removes a sample of the liver tissue to understand the cause of liver failure.
Treatment
The treatment is based on the cause of the condition Acute liver failure is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment in the intensive care unit. There is no proven treatment that effectively works for the acute liver failure. The goal of the treatment is to treat the liver damage, prevent complications and to ensure the liver can repair and regenerate with time. If the liver failure is caused by overdose or poisoning, it is treated with medications to reverse the effects of the toxins. Most often when the liver damage cannot be reversed, a liver transplant is the only effective treatment option.
References
http://surgery.ucsf.edu/conditions–procedures/acute-liver-failure-(alf).aspx
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-failure/basics/treatment/con-20030966
