Wilson's disease: indications for liver transplants

Abstract

The clinical course of certain patients with Wilson's disease resembles that of patients with viral or drug-induced fulminant hepatitis lasting only few weeks from recognition of symptoms to severe hepatic insufficiency and death. The disease is complicated by hemolysis and is characterized by hypercupremia. Routine laboratory findings may underestimate the severity of the disease. These patients, as well as patients with decompensated Wilsonian cirrhosis who are not responding to therapy, should be considered as candidates for liver transplants.