Drug-induced liver injury (DILI)

This morning we discussed drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Many drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, can cause hepatotoxicity, so a careful medication history should always be obtained when a patient presents with liver enzyme abnormalities.

DILI can range from asymptomatic mild enzyme elevations to fulminate liver failure. Jaundice in addition to elevated enzymes is associated with a worse prognosis than that seen in the setting of isolated ezyme abnormalities (an observation known as "Hy's law").

The most important treatment for DILI is cessation of the offending drug.

Here is a review on DILI.

* H& E stain, liver biopsy, atorvastatin-induced acute hepatitis, Inflammatory cell infilteration of the liver parenchyma consistant with inflammation.