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Hepatology guides
22 plain-English, evidence-linked guides in Hepatology, with clinical review status shown on each page.
Alcohol-related liver disease care (Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) management)Ongoing care for a liver damaged by alcohol, where the single most important treatment is stopping drinking, alongside monitoring, nutrition and managing complications.Ascites drainage (paracentesis) (Abdominal paracentesis (ascitic drainage))A procedure to remove fluid that has built up in the tummy (ascites) using a thin tube under local anaesthetic, to relieve discomfort or to test the fluid.Autoimmune hepatitis care (Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) management)Long-term care for a liver inflamed by an overactive immune system, using medicines to calm the immune response, protect the liver and keep the disease in remission.Cirrhosis management and monitoring (Management and surveillance of liver cirrhosis)The long-term plan for looking after a scarred (cirrhotic) liver: slowing further damage, watching for complications, and screening for liver cancer and swollen veins (varices).Fatty liver disease assessment (Assessment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly NAFLD))A staged assessment to confirm fatty liver, look for scarring, and address the underlying causes through lifestyle and risk factors.Haemochromatosis (iron overload) management (Management of genetic (hereditary) haemochromatosis)The long-term plan for lowering and controlling iron in the body when you have haemochromatosis, so it does not damage your liver, joints, heart and other organs.Hepatitis B diagnosis and long-term treatment (Hepatitis B diagnosis and treatment)Testing to find hepatitis B and long-term care to control the virus, protect the liver and lower the risk of liver damage and liver cancer.Hepatitis C diagnosis and treatmentTesting to find hepatitis C and a short course of antiviral tablets that clears the virus in most people, protecting the liver from further damage.Investigating abnormal liver blood tests (Investigation of abnormal liver function tests (LFTs))The set of blood tests, scans and sometimes a biopsy used to find out why your liver blood tests are abnormal, and whether anything needs treating.Investigating jaundice (Investigation of jaundice (hyperbilirubinaemia))The blood tests, scans and sometimes a biopsy used to find out why your skin or eyes have turned yellow, and whether the cause needs urgent treatment.Liver blood tests (Liver function tests (LFTs) / liver blood tests)A blood test that measures enzymes and proteins to give a snapshot of how the liver is working and whether it may be inflamed or damaged.Liver cancer surveillance (Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance)A regular check, usually a liver ultrasound (sometimes with a blood test) every six months, to try to catch liver cancer early in people whose liver disease puts them at higher risk.Liver screen (non-invasive liver assessment) (Non-invasive liver screen / liver aetiology screen)A set of blood tests, usually with an ultrasound, used to look for the common and important causes of abnormal liver blood tests.Liver specialist (hepatology) appointment (Hepatology consultation)An appointment with a liver specialist to look into liver blood test results, symptoms or a known liver condition, and to agree a plan.Liver transplant assessment (Liver transplantation assessment (work-up))A series of tests and specialist reviews, usually over a few days, to decide whether a liver transplant is a safe and sensible option for you and whether you should go on the waiting list.Liver ultrasound scan (Abdominal (liver) ultrasound)A usually not painful scan that uses sound waves to look at the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, often to investigate abnormal liver blood tests.MRI liver scan (including MRCP) (Magnetic resonance imaging of the liver / MRCP)A detailed scan using a magnetic field and radio waves to look at the liver, and with MRCP the bile ducts and pancreas, without radiation.Oesophageal varices banding (Endoscopic variceal band ligation)A camera test (gastroscopy) that places small rubber bands on swollen veins (varices) in the gullet to stop them bleeding or to reduce the risk of bleeding.Portal hypertension management (Management of portal hypertension)The plan for managing raised pressure in the main vein into the liver, which can cause swollen veins (varices), fluid in the tummy (ascites) and other complications.Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) care (Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) management)Long-term care for a condition where the immune system slowly damages the small bile ducts in the liver, using medicines to slow it down and to ease symptoms such as itching and fatigue.Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) care (Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) management)Long-term care for a condition that scars the bile ducts inside and outside the liver, where there is no proven medicine to stop it, so care focuses on monitoring, managing symptoms and complications, and considering transplant.Therapeutic venesection (Therapeutic venesection (therapeutic phlebotomy))A procedure to remove a measured amount of blood, much like a blood donation, used to lower iron or red-cell levels in certain conditions such as haemochromatosis.
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