IPLab:Lab 12:Acetaminophen Toxicity

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Clinical Summary

This 77-year-old white male with a past medical history of severe osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis went to his internist for increasing joint pain and was started on a new medication containing a narcotic analgesic, acetaminophen, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. The patient also self medicated with acetaminophen. Two days later he went back to his doctor complaining of nausea and vomiting, right upper quadrant pain, anorexia, and confusion. Lab evaluation revealed massively increased liver enzymes. The patient went into DIC and died in fulminant liver failure.

At autopsy the liver had large areas of pale softened tissue indicative of liver necrosis.

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Virtual Microscopy

Liver: Acetominophen Toxicity

Normal Liver

Study Questions


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