COPPER METABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER DISEASE

Kayser-Fleischer rings have been described in liver disease states other than Wilson's disease, primarily in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). In patients with PBC, hepatic copper, serum copper, urine copper and serum ceruloplasmin concentrations are significantly elevated. In Wilson's disease, excessive copper release from liver cells can cause intravascular hemolysis.