Overview of Laënnec’s Cirrhosis
Laënnec’s cirrhosis, also called portal cirrhosis or Laënnec cirrhosis, is a name given to cirrhosis with features typical of cirrhosis caused by chronic, heavy alcohol consumption.
Cirrhosis is scarring in your liver caused by chronic damage. In developed countries like the United States, the most common causes are:
- hepatitis C infection
- alcoholic-related liver disease, caused by heavy and chronic alcohol consumption
- nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is the buildup of fat in the liver associated with obesity
Laënnec’s cirrhosis was named after René Laënnec , a French doctor born in the 1700s who first used the term “cirrhosis.” It has some differences from other types of the condition.
Read on to learn more about Laënnec’s cirrhosis, including how it differs from other types of cirrhosis, potential complications, and treatments.
Types of cirrhosis
Doctors divide cirrhosis into three forms depending on the appearance of cells under a microscope:
| Micronodular (Laënnec’s cirrhosis) | Macronodular cirrhosis | Mixed cirrhosis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Uniform nodules (abnormal masses) less than 3 milliliters across | Irregular nodules greater than 3 milliliters across | Features of both micronodular and macronodular cirrhosis |
| Potential causes | • heavy alcohol consumption • buildup of iron in the body (hemochromatosis) • obstruction of hepatic veins • chronic bile obstruction • jejunoileal bypass • Indian childhood cirrhosis |
• hepatitis B and hepatitis C • alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency • primary biliary cholangitis |
usually, micronodular cirrhosis progresses to macronodular cirrhosis over time |
The classification of cirrhosis into one of these subtypes is less important for treating the disease than understanding the underlying cause of your cirrhosis.
Long wait times are often cited as a downfall of universal healthcare systems, but wait times in America have reached a new high, too. The average time to make a physician appointment as a new patient in 15 major U.S. cities is now 24 days, up 30% in just 3 years (2014 to 2018) according to physician recruiting firm Merritt Hawkins.
Cirrhosis usually develops slowly over months or years and symptoms usually don’t start until the liver is already significantly damaged. Early symptoms may include:
- fatigue
- weakness
- loss of appetite
- unexplained weight loss
- nausea and vomiting
- tenderness in the upper right part of your abdomen
Laënnec’s cirrhosis is caused by alcoholic-related liver disease, a complication of heavy drinking for many years.
One of the major complications of cirrhosis is portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is elevated blood pressure in the vein that leads to your liver. It can lead to many other complications, such as increasing your risk of stomach and esophageal varices (enlarged veins) that can cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
Other complications can include:
- swelling in your abdomen and legs
- yellowing of your eyes and skin (jaundice)
- enlarged spleen
- increased infections
- bleeding
- hepatic encephalopathy, which is a change in your mental state due to the buildup of substances your liver typically
Your doctor will start the diagnostic process by reviewing your personal and family medical history and performing a physical exam.
They may order a variety of tests to confirm the diagnosis, including:
- blood tests, such as:
- complete blood count electrolyte tests
- liver function tests
- ultrasound
- computed tomography (CT)
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- transient elastography
Cirrhosis can usually only be cured with a liver transplant. A liver transplant involves exchanging your liver with part or all of a donor liver.
Other treatments can help slow the progression of liver damage and improve your quality of life.
Treating cirrhosis can involve:
- avoiding alcohol consumption if you drink alcoholic beverages
- quitting smoking if you smoke (this can be difficult, but a doctor can help create a cessation plan that works for you)
- losing weight if you’re overweight or have obesity
- speaking with your doctor about your medications
- speaking with your doctor about vaccinations that may benefit you, such as the annual flu shot
- practicing positive hygiene habits to help reduce your risk of developing infections
- exercising regularly
Your treatment plan for cirrhosis will be based on your individual situation, including your medical needs.
Many people with cirrhosis can live for years without needing a transplant. Adopting lifestyle changes to support liver health can help you maximize your survival. It’s estimated that slightly under half of people with cirrhosis live at least 10 years following their diagnosis.
Doctors divide cirrhosis into compensated and decompensated cirrhosis, depending on liver function.
Compensated cirrhosis is when your liver is still able to perform all its critical functions, and decompensated cirrhosis is when it’s no longer able to meet these demands. The 10-year survival rate drops to 16% in people with decompensated cirrhosis.
The 1-year and 5-year survival rates after a liver transplant are 85% and 72%, respectively.
What is a survival rate?
Health professionals often use survival rate as a measure of a disease’s outlook. It refers to the percentage of people with the disease who are still alive a set number of years after their diagnosis.
