Biomaterial Database

[Clinical aspects of giant cell hepatitis]. 1994

K P Maier

Fachbereich Gastroenterologie, Universität Tübingen.

Giant-cell hepatitis in adults is a rare event resembling either chronic non-A, non-B or autoimmune chronic active hepatitis. The etiology is unknown. Paramyxoviruses may be implicated. The clinical picture varies remarkably from mild chronic liver disease to subacute hepatic failure. Liver biopsy is diagnostic, showing giant cells as the common pathological finding. Due to the unknown cause of the disease, treatment is symptomatic. Steroids are applied, as in the case of autoimmune disease, with remarkable results in some patients. In fulminant cases, however, liver transplantation is the only option for cure.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D003937	Diagnosis, Differential	Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures.	Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D006501	Hepatic Encephalopathy	A syndrome characterized by central nervous system dysfunction in association with LIVER FAILURE, including portal-systemic shunts. Clinical features include lethargy and CONFUSION (frequently progressing to COMA); ASTERIXIS; NYSTAGMUS, PATHOLOGIC; brisk oculovestibular reflexes; decorticate and decerebrate posturing; MUSCLE SPASTICITY; and bilateral extensor plantar reflexes (see REFLEX, BABINSKI). ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY may demonstrate triphasic waves. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1117-20; Plum & Posner, Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma, 3rd ed, p222-5)	Encephalopathy, Hepatic,Portosystemic Encephalopathy,Encephalopathy, Hepatocerebral,Encephalopathy, Portal-Systemic,Encephalopathy, Portosystemic,Fulminant Hepatic Failure with Cerebral Edema,Hepatic Coma,Hepatic Stupor,Hepatocerebral Encephalopathy,Portal-Systemic Encephalopathy,Coma, Hepatic,Comas, Hepatic,Encephalopathies, Hepatic,Encephalopathies, Hepatocerebral,Encephalopathies, Portal-Systemic,Encephalopathies, Portosystemic,Encephalopathy, Portal Systemic,Hepatic Comas,Hepatic Encephalopathies,Hepatic Stupors,Hepatocerebral Encephalopathies,Portal Systemic Encephalopathy,Portal-Systemic Encephalopathies,Portosystemic Encephalopathies,Stupor, Hepatic,Stupors, Hepatic
D006505	Hepatitis	INFLAMMATION of the LIVER.	Hepatitides
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001706	Biopsy	Removal and pathologic examination of specimens from the living body.	Biopsies
D013256	Steroids	A group of polycyclic compounds closely related biochemically to TERPENES. They include cholesterol, numerous hormones, precursors of certain vitamins, bile acids, alcohols (STEROLS), and certain natural drugs and poisons. Steroids have a common nucleus, a fused, reduced 17-carbon atom ring system, cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene. Most steroids also have two methyl groups and an aliphatic side-chain attached to the nucleus. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed)	Steroid,Catatoxic Steroids,Steroids, Catatoxic
D015726	Giant Cells	Multinucleated masses produced by the fusion of many cells; often associated with viral infections. In AIDS, they are induced when the envelope glycoprotein of the HIV virus binds to the CD4 antigen of uninfected neighboring T4 cells. The resulting syncytium leads to cell death and thus may account for the cytopathic effect of the virus.	Giant Cells, Multinucleated,Multinucleated Giant Cells,Polykaryocytes,Syncytium,Syncytia,Cell, Giant,Cell, Multinucleated Giant,Cells, Giant,Cells, Multinucleated Giant,Giant Cell,Giant Cell, Multinucleated,Multinucleated Giant Cell,Polykaryocyte
D016031	Liver Transplantation	The transference of a part of or an entire liver from one human or animal to another.	Grafting, Liver,Hepatic Transplantation,Liver Transplant,Transplantation, Hepatic,Transplantation, Liver,Hepatic Transplantations,Liver Grafting,Liver Transplantations,Liver Transplants,Transplant, Liver