1Postgraduate Student, Department of Pathology, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka
2Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka
3Professor & HOD, Department of Pathology, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka
4Professor & HOD, Department of Forensic Science, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka
Online published on 5 January, 2015.
Alcohol induced liver disease is a major cause of ill health and mortality. This autopsy study is conducted to know the morphological changes of liver disease in alcoholics and to study the incidental liver findings.
Present study is a prospective descriptive study. Total of 50 autopsy liver specimens with history of habitual alcohol intake, laboratory findings and autopsy findings were collected from the department of Forensic medicine during the period 2011–13. Detailed gross and microscopic examination of liver specimens were done.
Mean duration of alcohol consumption was 13 years. Hepatomegaly was the common gross finding seen in 42% (n-21) of cases. Hepatic steatosis of macrovesicular type and severe grade was the common microscopic finding seen in 54% (n-27) of cases. Fibrosis was seen in 94% (n-47) cases and association between duration of alcohol consumption and fibrosis was statistically significant. Hepatic siderosis i.e. stainable iron was found in 70%(n-35) of cases and veno-occlusive lesion seen in all the cases. Miliary tuberculosis was the incidental finding seen in 8%(n-4) of cases.
Autopsy is an excellent learning tool. This study showed that fibrosis and veno-occlusive lesions were invariable findings and on progression leads to cirrhosis which is an end stage liver disease.
Autopsy, Liver, Alcoholics, Morphology, Diseases
