[Liver transplantation for metabolic liver disease in adulthood]

Z Gastroenterol. 2004 Aug;42(8):749-65. doi: 10.1055/s-2004-813182.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The clinical presentation of metabolic liver disease is highly variable, covering acute liver failure, liver cirrhosis, hepatic cancer and various extrahepatic manifestations. Both natural course and prognosis after liver transplantation are substantially influenced by extrahepatic manifestations. In many types of metabolic liver disease, timely diagnosis allows for successful medical treatment. However, progressive liver failure and severe extrahepatic damage can be the indication for liver transplantation. In general, standard transplantation criteria also apply for metabolic liver disease. They have to be modified by disease-specific criteria, and extrahepatic damage may necessitate multiorgan transplantation. The overall prognosis after liver transplantation for metabolic liver disease is favorable. Furthermore, several metabolic defects are phenotypically cured by liver transplantation. Alternative treatments like hepatocyte transplantation or gene therapy are still in the experimental stage.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Graft Rejection / etiology*
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / complications
  • Liver Diseases / diagnosis
  • Liver Diseases / surgery*
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Metabolic Diseases / complications
  • Metabolic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Metabolic Diseases / surgery*
  • Patient Care Management / methods*
  • Prognosis
  • Treatment Outcome