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Clinical Features of Alcoholic Cirrhosis
Caput Medusae
Cirrhosis of the liver causes portal hypertension, and as a sign of portal hypertension dilated collateral weins are seen in the umbilical region. This lesion is often referred to as a caput medusae. In this picture, a dilated wein in the umbilicus is seen.
Spider naevi
Vascular abnormalities, spider naevus (or spider telangiectasia) are common, and occur in more than half of the patients. They are most often seen on the chest. They are also often seen during pregnancy in healthy women. In this picture, another feature of the cirrhosis is also seen, the skin is icteric. As one can see from this picture, the spider naevi are not easily visualized in a picture.
Oesophageal Varices
Oesophageal varices seen during gastroscopy is a usual - and dangerous - clinical feature of alcoholic cirrhosis, and bleeding from the varices is a medical emergency.
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