One of the most important human organs is considered to be the liver, because it works almost to the point of wear and tear, daily performing a huge number of functions at the same time. The impact of negative environmental factors and internal pathological changes have a detrimental effect on the state of this important organ.
Under what conditions of the body it is necessary to urgently consult a specialist and what tests need to be taken to check the liver, consider below.
Organ structure
The area of the right hypochondrium, where the liver takes place, is protected from external and internal influences. This body in an adult can reach a weight of up to one and a half kilograms. The liver belongs to the endocrine glands.
Prismatic lobules are the structural material of the organ. They are a smaller copy of the liver itself. Each of the lobules has its own blood supply in the form of small capillaries. The cells of the gland produce bile, which is necessary for the processing of food chyme.
The secret through the bile ducts goes into the gallbladder - a special pouch, which is a depot for bile. And from hereenters the duodenum, participating further in the process of digestion. Although bile is produced continuously, it enters the intestinal tract in portions.
The circulatory system of the liver is quite complex and is represented by a large number of closely intertwined capillaries. The large vessels of the gland are the hepatic artery and the portal vein, which carry blood from the aorta to the abdominal organs and back. The close contact of the vessels with the bile ducts ensures the highest level of metabolism.
Functional "duties" of the liver
The organ takes part in many processes at the same time, performing complex functions:
- production of a secret for digestion (bile);
- inactivation of toxins, toxic substances and allergens;
- regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and replenishment of energy reserves;
- removal of metabolic products from the body;
- participation in gluconeogenesis;
- vitamin deposit.
In addition to participating in the process of digestion, the liver actively fights with foreign material that has entered the human body. After inactivation of toxic substances, it accelerates the excretion of metabolic results (acetone, ketone bodies, ammonia, etc.). The synthesis function is of great importance. The liver synthesizes a number of hormones, proteins, cholesterol, bilirubin, bile acids and enzymes.
A feature of the body is also self-healing. It is the only gland in the human body that can restore its original size with only a quarter of its tissue.
WhatAre your symptoms suggestive of testing?
Most patients seek help when the disease has already passed into the chronic stage.
Receiving specialist advice is necessary when the following clinic appears:
- Pain in the right hypochondrium, aching, cutting or cramping with hepatic colic.
- Failure in digestion in the form of dyspeptic manifestations (vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, bloating).
- Subfebrile condition or high temperature.
- Skin becomes pale or yellowish.
- "Liver palms" - a symptom of cirrhosis of the liver or chronic hepatitis. The skin on the palms becomes red. When pressing on the hyperemic area, the redness disappears, but later reappears.
- Appearance of yellow spots.
- Itchy skin and scratch marks.
What tests should I take to check the liver?
The functional state of an organ can suffer as a result of various diseases, ranging from infectious diseases to tumor processes. After contacting a specialist and conducting an examination, the patient is assigned a set of measures to make the correct diagnosis.
What tests do you need to pass to check the liver:
- general blood and urine tests;
- liver elastometry;
- hepatography;
- liver scan;
- blood biochemistry and enzymes ALT, AST;
- additional blood counts - bilirubin, cholinesterase, total protein, phosphatase;
- Liver ultrasound.
Fiberscan - an innovation in diagnostics
Liver elastometry is a modern method of examination, which is prescribed for suspected fibrosis. Before the advent of this procedure, it was possible to examine the state of liver tissue cells only with the help of histology.
This procedure has a second name - liver fibroscan. A positive aspect of the diagnosis is its safety and the absence of invasion into the patient's body. This makes it possible to control the course of the disease in dynamics.
Elastometric study of the liver is carried out using a special apparatus with a sensor. Ultrasonic vibrations pass through it, which are reflected by the tissues of the organ. The result is displayed on the monitor in the form of already processed information, which indicates the level of elasticity of the gland.
The percentage of accuracy of the results is very high, and the time spent on getting a response is minimal. When compared with a biopsy, liver elastometry leads in terms of its functional features. The price of this procedure is about 4000 rubles.
Indications for conduction
This safe examination method is even used to diagnose diseases in children, since it does not require special patient preparation and does not cause complications on the part of the body.
Liver elastometry is indicated for the following patients:
- people suffering from chronic liver disease;
- for patients with viral hepatitis;
- patients with cirrhosis of the liver;
- to patients who are treated with antiviral drugs to assess the state of elasticity of the organ tissue before and after treatment;
- patients who abuse alcohol.
The procedure is carried out with the help of "Fibroscan". The patient is in a horizontal position, arms are apart, chest and abdomen are exposed. The sensor is installed at the point where the right lobe of the liver is located. After selecting the area to be studied, the device takes several measurements, which are processed using a computer program. The result is displayed on the monitor.
Thus, liver elastometry allows you to quickly and accurately assess the functional state of the organ.
