Miliary Tuberculosis of Liver in Alcoholics – An Autopsy Study

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 13years. Hepatomegaly was the common gross finding seen in 42%(n-21) of cases. Microscopic findings were steatosis in 28%(n-14) cases, steatohepatisis in 26%(n-13) cases, cirrhosis in 18%(n-9) cases, alcoholic hepatitis in 10%(n-5) cases. Miliary tuberculosis was the incidental finding seen in 8% (n-4) of cases.

Autopsy is an excellent learning tool. This study showed that apart from the usual spectrum of alcoholic liver disease, miliary tuberculosis is an unexpected common finding in chronic alcoholics.