Subacute liver failure of unknown origin

Abstract

Introduction. Acute liver failure is rare and very complex clinical syndrome, the consequences of the sudden and severe liver dysfunction. There are several causes of this condition (viruses, medications, toxins, metabolic, autoimmune and malignant diseases), but etiological agent often remains undiscovered. Case Outline. A 40-year-old male patient got ill suddenly with signs and symptoms relevant for acute hepatitis, which was confirmed with biochemical analysis. The cause of acute liver failure was not determined. Despite all therapeutic measures, clinical course of the disease was bad: severe icterus, decreased synthetic function of the liver and hepatic encephalopathy developed. In the later, subacute course of the disease, developed ascites, episodes of hepatic encephalopathy and biochemical findings of chronic hepatocellular failure. After three months treatment, in hepatic coma, there was lethal outcome. Histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of decompensated liver cirrhosis of unknown origin. Conclusion. The cause of acute liver failure often remains unclear; potential causes should be looked for in infections with unknown viruses or in toxins exposure. The disease is most commonly presented as subacute failure with the development of liver cirrhosis. Survival rate is low.