BOF: 52
A 50-year-old female has been
referred for investigation of abnormal liver function tests. She consumes 52
units of alcohol per week. On examination she
is obese with mainly truncal obesity, with a moon face and a buffalo hump shaped
deposit of fat across her shoulders. Her face is plethoric and there are numerous
telangiectasiae. The abdomen is protuberant and there are striae. In this
patient:
a)
The biochemical abnormalities do not return to normal with abstinence
b)
There is little relationship between the degree of liver damage and the
plasma cortisol levels
c)
Urinary 17 – hydroxycorticosteroid levels are suppressed
d)
Plasma cortisol levels are suppressed
e)
Plasma ACTH levels are elevated
Answer:
b)
The patient has alcoholic
pseudocushings. There is little relationship between the degree of liver damage
and the plasma cortisol levels
