Pathological features of biliary disease in children and adults

Abstract

Many of the histological features of biliary disease are similar in the child and in the adult. The differential diagnosis also overlaps, but there are special considerations in the paediatric and particularly in the neonatal setting. Biliary histology can be a manifestation of a broad range of diseases. This chapter will provide an overview of the main pathological features that are seen in biliary diseases as a whole, with a more detailed consideration of the most common causes of chronic biliary disease in children and adults. The main emphasis will be on a practical diagnostic approach to the histological assessment of biliary disease - this will include considering the changing role of liver biopsy in the diagnosis and management of patients with biliary disease.