Table 3.

Prevalence of complications generally associated with hepatic cirrhosis following the development of diffuse liver contour abnormalities and management (n=48)

N (%) (95% CI for %)
Related to portal hypertension
Ascites
Radiological ascites	39 (81.3) (68.1 to 89.8)
Ascites on physical examination	28 (58.3) (44.8 to 71.2)
Characteristics of ascites (n=20)
Protein (mean)—g/L±SD	14.2±8
Transudate (<30 g/L)	18 (90.0) (69.9 to 97.2)
Exudate (>30 g/L)	2 (10.0) (2.8 to 30.1)
Presence of neoplastic cells	5 (25.0) (11.2 to 46.9)
Absence of neoplastic cells	15 (75.0) (53.1 to 88.1)
Ascites management (n=28)
Use of diuretics	21 (75.0) (56.6 to 87.3)
Large volume paracentesis	24 (85.7) (68.5 to 94.3)
Albumin transfusions	9 (32.1) (17.9 to 50.7)
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt	1 (3.6) (0.6 to 17.7)
Radiological vascular signs of portal hypertension*	13 (27.1) (16.6 to 41.0)
Radiological splenomegaly†	13 (27.1) (16.6 to 41.0)
Oesophageal varices (endoscopic)‡	11 (22.9) (13.3 to 36.5)
Rupture of oesophageal varices	3 (6.5) (2.2 to 17.5)
Portal vein thrombosis§	5 (10.4) (4.5 to 22.2)
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis	3 (6.3) (2.1 to 16.8)
Related to liver failure
Hypoalbuminaemia¶	36 (75.0) (61.2 to 85.1)
Hyperbilirubinaemia**	31 (64.6) (50.4 to 76.6)
Radiological bile duct dilation	0 (0) (0 to 7.4)
Coagulation disorders††	27 (56.3) (42.3 to 69.3)
Hepatic encephalopathy	11 (22.9) (13.3 to 36.5)

*Enlargement of paraumbilical or collateral veins on abdominal imaging.

†Two patients had lesions suspected of splenic metastases on imaging.

‡14 patients underwent a diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

§Of these five patients, four had endoscopic oesophageal varices.

¶Serum albumin <35 g/L.

**Total bilirubin >2 mg/dL.

††PT <70% PT.

n, number of patients analysed; n, number of patients in the category.