Laboratory Tests in the Differential Diagnosis of Liver Disease Report on Two Procedures

[摘要] The seromucoid estimation and the Jirgl test were investigated as aids in the differential diagnosis of jaundice or hepatomegaly. Subnormal concentrations of seromucoid strongly suggest hepatocellular disease, while in this series most patients with hepatitis or cirrhosis had normal or raised concentrations. In obstructive jaundice normal or high values may be found. Very high values suggest obstruction due to carcinoma, or the presence of secondary deposits of carcinoma in the liver. However, so many other conditions are associated with a raised seromucoid concentration that this finding must be interpreted with caution. The Jirgl test is not specific for posthepatic obstruction, being, in the authors' experience, usually positive in infective hepatitis and in carcinoma with secondary deposits in the liver, and occasionally in cirrhosis. It is suggested that the test responds to intra- as well as to extrahepatic obstruction.

[学科分类] 过敏症与临床免疫学