Nonalcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver in the Lebanon and Syria

Hepatic disorders are common in Syria and the Lebanon. In addition to the enlarged livers due to congestive heart failure and disease of the biliary tract, hydatid cysts and amebic abscesses of the liver are frequently seen. More frequently encountered is a third group of patients with hepatic enlargement associated with splenomegaly. The clinical features of this group are epigastric distention, irregular bowel action and drowsiness after meals. Many of the patients have had repeated febrile attacks associated with jaundice, often accompanied by transient hepatic enlargement, epigastric tenderness, nausea and vomiting, lasting from a few days to a few weeks. Many live a reasonably long life without marked evidence of liver insufficiency. Rowntree1says that their cirrhosis is probably compensated. A number sooner or later develop evidences of advanced portal cirrhosis with ascites. Cirrhosis of the liver is seen more commonly at the American University of Beirut among clinic