A 48-yr-old male alcoholic with cirrhosis has bilateral gynecomastia. Which physical findings has the same pathogenesis as gynecomastia?: (A) Caput medusae, (B) Asterixis, (C) Ascites, (D) Spider angioma
Answer is D. Gynecomastia in male cirrhotics is caused by hyperestrinism secondary to the inability of the liver to metabolize estrogens. Hyperestrinism results in the development of female secondary sex characteristics, palmar erythema, spider angioma, and testicular atrophy caused by decreased testosterone.