Hepatology - An important subspecialty in Medicine!

1. 3. - Hepatology - An important subspecialty in Medicine!

2. Hepatology involves the study, prevention, diagnosis and management of diseases affecting liver, gallbladder, biliary tree and pancreas. A patient is referred to a hepatologist in Kolkata in the following conditions • Drug Overdose • Gastro-Intestinal bleeding from portal hypertension • Jaundice • Ascites • Enzyme Defects or blood tests showing liver disease • The hepatologist examines patient depending on the severity of the illness often or every six months.

3. Hepatology V/s Gastroenterology Hepatology is the subspecialty of gastroenterology. It is related to disorders of liver, pancreas, biliary tree and gallbladder while a Gastroenterology deals with stomach, intestine disorders besides pancreas and gallbladder diseases.

4. Consultation with Hepatology Doctor in Kolkata A hepatologist begins with a detailed history of the patient and the symptoms. He does the further investigation of causes and problems, their frequency, the period of illness to arrive at the right diagnosis. He may also suggest different scans and blood tests as well as biopsy depending on the conditions of the patient. A hepatologist offers follow-up treatment after liver transplant to the patients.

5. Hepatologist performs • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography used to diagnose and treat many biliary and pancreatic diseases • Transhepaticpancreato-cholangiography x-ray to detect obstruction in bile ducts or liver • Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt to create a connection between the portal and hepatic veins.