MEDizzy - A 55-year-old alcoholic man died after an illness

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Liver Gallbladder and Pancreas

A 55-year-old alcoholic man died after an illness characterized by increasing jaundice, ascites, and generalized wasting. Laboratory testing revealed hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and mildly elevated liver enzymes. The most likely diagnosis is:

ExplanationMajor clinical manifestations of cirrhosis include jaundice, ascites, signs of hyperestrinism (palmar erythema, spider telangiectasia, gynecomastia, testicular atrophy), consequences of increased portal venous pressure (esophageal varices, distended abdominal veins [caput medusae], splenomegaly), and consequences of hypoalbuminemia (ascites, peripheral edema).