Question
A 61-year-old female was first admitted to the hospital because of ascites and pedal edema. A liver biopsy revealed a condition as represented by the black arrow in the photomicrograph below. The serum iron concentration was reported as 220 mcg/dL.The patient also exhibited an abnormal glucose tolerance test at this time (following the ingestion of a test dose of glucose, the blood glucose level rose to 290 mg/dL at one hour and remained at this level for the next three hours).The most probable diagnosis of the patient is?
A. Hemochromatosis.
B. Hepatic cirrhosis.
C. Both of the above.
D. None of the above.
|
Correct Answer » A Explanation |
 |
The photomicrograph of a liver from this case demonstrates the nodules and the brown/black pigment within liver parenchymal cells ( as represented by black arrows).The liver biopsy above reveals a marked intracellular accumulation of iron.Also the serum iron concentration was reported as 220 mcg/dL. On the basis of these studies, the diagnosis of hemochromatosis can be made.