Kayser-Fleischer-like rings in patients with hepatic disease

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to study Kayser-Fleischer [KF]-like rings in patients with hepatic or cholestatic liver disease and to find out the relation between serum bilirubin level and the presence of KF like ring in these patients. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated patients with hepatic and cholestatic liver diseases with total Serum bilirubin levels >10 mg/dl. These patients were evaluated for the presence or absence of KF like ring. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients with total bilirubin >10 mg/dl were included in the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on total S. bilirubin level: Group 1 with S. bilirubin >30 mg/dl, Group 2 with S. bilirubin >20 - <30 mg/dl and Group 3 with S. bilirubin >10 - <20 mg/dl at baseline evaluation. On follow-up they were divided into 3 groups based on the serum bilirubin level. Group 1- >20 mg/dl, Group 2- >10 - <20 mg/dl, Group 3- <10 mg/dl. KF like ring was seen in 98.5% of patients with high total S. bilirubin level. KF like ring disappeared in 87.5% of patients with reduction in the total S. bilirubin level to less than 10 mg/dl. CONCLUSION: KF like ring was seen in 98.5% of patients with high total S. bilirubin, disappeared in 87.5% of patients with reduction in the total S. bilirubin level to less than 10 mg/dl. There was no significant difference between the Total S. bilirubin levels, age, gender and KF Like Ring.