Thirty-Two Questions on Hepatitis C

Dr. Galati reviews some of the more common questions he is asked regarding chronic hepatitis C, the current therapies being used, and the proper management of this emerging public health problem. Read more about the Thirty Two Questions on Hepatitis C

Liver Biopsy

Liver biopsies are vital to better understanding abnormalities of the liver and how they should be addressed. Read more about Liver Biopsy.

Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcohol is a common cause of chronic liver disease and a leading cause of cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. It is a large public health issue that requires a multidiscipline approach to its treatment. Read more about Alcoholic Liver Disease.

Autoimmune Hepatitis

Over stimulation of the immune system can lead to the development of chronic hepatitis known as autoimmune hepatitis. This is typically as disease of young women, but can affect patients of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Read more about Autoimmune Hepatitis.

Budd-Chiari Syndrome (Hepatic Vein Thrombosis)

Thrombosis (clotting) of the hepatic veins in the liver can lead to devastating complications. Prompt diagnosis and intervention is required for successful outcomes. Read more about Budd-Chiari Syndrome.

Cholangiocarcinoma

Cancer of the bile ducts, a common complication of sclerosing cholangitis, continues to be a difficult malignancy to diagnose and treat. New therapies are becoming available. Read more about Cholangiocarcinoma.

Cirrhosis

Extensive scarring of the liver is cirrhosis. While it is perceived in the public that alcohol is the sole cause of cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, biliary cirrhosis, and iron overload (Hemochromatosis) are other commonly encountered diseases that can lead to cirrhosis in adults. Read more about Cirrhosis.

Fatty Liver

Excessive accumulation of fat in the liver can, in certain circumstances, lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Fat in the liver unrelated to alcohol abuse is called Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This is a growing problem, seen more frequently in our office compared to 10 years ago. A complete evaluation is warranted, and therapeutic options are available. Read more about Fatty Liver.

Hemangioma

Abnormal collections of blood vessels in the liver are commonly seen on ultrasound and CT scan images of the liver. Read more about Hemangioma.

Itching in Liver Disease

Pruritis (itching) is a common complication see in diseases of the liver associated with bile duct injury and inflammation. Read more about Itching in Liver Disease.

Liver Cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma, a primary cancer of the liver, is being diagnoses at an increased frequency due to the rise in the number of cases of hepatitis C. Dr. Galati, along with his surgical colleagues, can provide comprehensive care in liver cancer. Read more about Liver Cancer.

Organ Donation

Organ donation is a vital part of all liver transplant programs. Read more about Organ Donation.

Sclerosing Cholangitis

Commonly seen in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohns Disease and ulcerative colitis), sclerosing cholangitis remains a challenge to diagnose and treat. Read more about Sclerosing Cholangitis.

Understanding Hepatitis

Hepatitis is defined as inflammation of the liver. There are many different causes of hepatitis. Read more about Hepatitis.

Understanding the Liver

The liver performs more than 200 unique functions, and is the most complex organ in the human body. Unfortunately, its role in health and disease is greatly misunderstood by the general public. Read more about Understanding the Liver.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Usually a disease of young females, primary biliary can affect any age individual or race. Disease progression can be variable. Read more about Primary Biliary Cirrhosis.

Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is a common genetic disorder that leads to increased iron absorption and damage to the liver and other internal organs. Read more about Hemochromatosis.  

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Bleeding from the upper or lower digestive tract is commonly seen in liver disease and other disorders of the digestive system. Read more about Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Liver Failure

The sudden development of liver failure is called fulminant liver failure. Without urgent care, death is universal. Read more about Liver Failure.

Portal Hypertension

Patients with cirrhosis develop elevated pressure in the portal vein, the main vein draining the liver. Read more about Portal Hypertension.

Liver Cysts

Benign cysts of the liver are common findings on x-rays of the liver. Polycystic liver and kidney disease are variants of this disorder.  Read more about Liver Cysts.

Gilberts Syndrome

Gilbert syndrome is the most common inherited cause of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia.  This is a genetic condition, which is associated with intermittent levels of jaundice, in the absence of any sort of underlying chronic liver disease. Read more about Gilbert Syndrome.

Wilson Disease

Wilson disease is a disease of the liver associated with increased levels of copper.  In Wilson disease, the liver does not properly release copper into bile the way that it normally should. Read more about Wilson Disease.

Liver Transplantation

Dr. Galati has been involved in liver transplantation for the past 20 years.  He currently is the Medical Director of the Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. Simply put, liver transplantation is the surgery that replaces a diseased liver with a healthy liver. Read more about Liver Transplantation.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin

Alpha-1-antintrypsin deficiency is a genetic disorder that can cause damage to both the liver and lungs in children and adult.  In adults between the age of 20 and 50, the first signs of lung disease due to alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency will be seen. Read more about Alpha-1 Antitrypsin.