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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 7, 2014; 20(33): 11684-11699
Published online Sep 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i33.11684
Published online Sep 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i33.11684
Diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease
Cara Torruellas, Valentina Medici, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
Samuel W French, Department of Pathology, UCLA/Harbor Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, United States
Author contributions: Torruellas C and Medici V wrote the paper; French SW provided histologic images and image annotations.
Correspondence to: Valentina Medici, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, 4150 V Street, Suite 3500, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States. valentina.medici@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Telephone: +1-916-7343751 Fax: +1-916-7347908
Received: November 30, 2013
Revised: January 30, 2014
Accepted: April 2, 2014
Published online: September 7, 2014
Revised: January 30, 2014
Accepted: April 2, 2014
Published online: September 7, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: The diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) can be challenging and in most cases, the diagnosis will be established by thorough history, clinical and laboratory findings. However, in uncertain situations, it can be supported by imaging and liver biopsy results. Histological features of ALD can ultimately define the diagnosis according to the typical presence and distribution of hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and Mallory-Denk bodies. Clinical and laboratory parameters can help with establishing the prognosis of ALD in more advanced and severe cases and with determining the therapeutic approach.