Liver Disease Program

The Liver Disease Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Digestive Disease Institute offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment for the entire spectrum of liver diseases, ranging from outpatient evaluation to inpatient care of those with advanced liver disease, such as liver failure and related complications.

The multidisciplinary team at the Liver Disease Program is composed of physicians with expertise in multiple specialties, including hepatology, liver surgery, interventional radiology, interventional endoscopy, liver pathology, and critical care.

What We Treat

The Liver Disease Program offers evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for patients suffering from liver diseases. These conditions can range from viral infections, such as hepatitis, to cancer, autoimmune conditions, and genetic conditions. Common conditions affecting the liver include:

• Viral hepatitis B & C
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Cholestatic diseases that involve the reduction of bile flow from the liver, including primary biliary cholangitis (primary biliary cirrhosis or PBC) and primary sclerosing
• Cholangitis (PSC)
• Cirrhosis
• Portal hypertension and related complications
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (also called liver cancer)
• Cholangiocarcinoma (also called bile duct cancer)
• Genetic liver diseases, such as hemochromatosis, Wilson's diseases, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Liver masses
• Vascular disorders, such as portal vein thrombosis and Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Diagnosis of Liver Disease

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi offers a variety of cutting-edge techniques to diagnose patients affected by liver disease. These options include:

• Advanced imaging studies: Imaging techniques such as multi-phase liver protocol cross sectional CT scans and MRI scans.
• Liver biopsy: A procedure that involves removing a small piece of tissue from the liver using a special needle.
• Paracentesis: The collection and analysis of fluid that builds up in the abdomen in patients with liver diseases.
• Advanced endoscopic techniques: Minimally invasive procedures that use a thin, flexible tube to access the digestive tract. This includes rubber band ligation of esophageal varices (varicose veins that develop in the esophagus in patients with cirrhosis).
• Therapeutic biliary endoscopy: Endoscopic technique used for the treatment of biliary diseases.

Once a diagnosis has been made, there is a range of treatment options available for patients. The right treatment plan will depend on the patient’s condition and specific needs.

Treatment of Liver Disease

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Digestive Disease Institute offers surgical expertise in liver and bile duct disorders, including capabilities in minimally invasive and robotic hepatobiliary surgery for the resection of liver and bile duct tumors as well as liver transplantation. Patients’ conditions will be carefully evaluated to determine candidacy for robotically-assisted surgery, which can enhance highly complex operations while allowing for less pain and quicker recovery for the patient.