| disease | Post-hepatitis Cirrhosis |
| alias | Post-hepatitic Cirrhosis |
Post-hepatitis cirrhosis is most commonly caused by viral hepatitis, primarily resulting from chronic active hepatitis. Subacute severe hepatitis often progresses to this condition after recovery.
bubble_chart Pathological Changes
Post-hepatitis cirrhosis manifests pathologically as either micronodular or macronodular cirrhosis, with micronodular cirrhosis being more common in China. The characteristics include: varying sizes and uneven distribution of hepatocyte necrotic areas. The fibrous bundles in large necrotic areas are thicker and wider, while those in small necrotic areas are finer and narrower. The regenerative nodules vary in size, with some larger than 2 cm and others exceeding 5 cm, and there are distinct collapsed areas on the liver surface.
bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations
Post-hepatitis cirrhosis varies greatly in clinical manifestations due to differences in hepatocyte degeneration, necrosis, inflammation, regeneration, and the size of nodules formed.
1. Post-hepatitis cirrhosis with large nodules
has an acute onset, short incubation period, and obvious symptoms, often including loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice, liver pain, abdominal pain, and significant abdominal distension and fullness. Some patients may experience fever and diarrhea. Liver function shows continuous and progressive damage, with ALT levels significantly elevated. Ascites often appears early, and there is a tendency for bleeding. The disease progresses rapidly, often leading to liver failure before significant portal hypertension develops, hence it is referred to as "acute cirrhosis." This type was previously known as "post-necrotic cirrhosis." The 5-year survival rate for this type of post-hepatitis cirrhosis is low, and the prognosis is extremely poor.
2. Post-hepatitis cirrhosis with small noduleshas a slow onset, with few and mild symptoms. Many patients have no obvious symptoms, mainly experiencing fatigue, poor appetite, or discomfort in the liver and abdomen. Although ALT levels may sometimes be elevated, liver function damage is mild. The disease progresses slowly despite recurrent episodes, often developing gradually on the basis of chronic liver disease. Portal hypertension appears only in the advanced stage, with jaundice and liver failure occurring only when there is a large amount of ascites or complications.
