Portal hypertension, defined as an elevation of portal pressure >10-12 mm Hg or a hepatic venous pressure gradient >4 mm Hg, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children with liver disease. Portal hypertension occurs when there is increased portal…
The incidence of gallbladder disease, particularly cholelithiasis and biliary dyskinesia, has been increasing in children, and has been associated with a rise in the number of cholecystectomies. Anomalies The gallbladder is congenitally absent in approximately 0.1% of the population. Hypoplasia…
Cystic lesions of liver may be initially recognized during infancy and childhood. Hepatic fibrosis can also occur as part of an associated developmental defect ( Table 392.1 ). Cystic renal disease is usually associated and often determines the clinical presentation…
Acute liver failure is a clinical syndrome resulting from massive necrosis of hepatocytes or from severe functional impairment of hepatocytes. The synthetic, excretory, and detoxifying functions of the liver are all severely impaired. In adults, hepatic encephalopathy has been an…
The liver is the main site of drug metabolism and is particularly susceptible to structural and functional injury after the ingestion, parenteral administration, or inhalation of chemical agents, drugs, plant derivatives (home remedies), herbal or nutritional supplements, or environmental toxins.…
Autoimmune Hepatitis Chronic Liver Disease Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic hepatic inflammatory process manifested by elevated serum aminotransaminase concentrations, liver-associated serum autoantibodies, and/or hypergammaglobulinemia. The serological autoantibody profile defines 2 main types of autoimmune hepatitis: AIH type 1, with positivity…
Overview of Liver Physiology After the skin, the liver and the brain are the largest organs in the human body. The liver weighs between 1200 and 1500 g, representing 2% to 5% of body weight in the adult and ~4% to…
In this chapter, the embryologic and anatomic characteristics of the bile ducts and gallbladder are reviewed, with a focus on information useful for diagnosing and treating biliary tract disease and understanding the anomalies and congenital malformations of these structures. Biliary…