3 They may increase in size and number.4 They are usually asymptomatic, although obstruction of the bile ducts may occur.5 The point is that, in patients with a high serum bilirubin level caused by cirrhosis, peribiliary cysts may be misdiagnosed as obstructive jaundice, especially on ultrasound examination. Positive diagnosis is made on the presence of such cystic dilatation on both sides of the

portal veins, whereas dilation of intrahepatic bile ducts usually appears on one side. MRCP6 is a useful, noninvasive technique showing small fluid-filled cavities independent of the biliary tree. Other differential diagnoses include bile duct hamartomas, Caroli disease, and periportal edema. Bile duct hamartomas are rare, benign malformations of the biliary see more tract that present as multiple cystic lesions that do not communicate with the biliary tree on MRCP, affecting all the liver without periportal distribution. MRCP in Caroli disease displays multiple cystic structures of varying size communicating with the biliary system. Periportal edema is characterized by a nonspecific fluid infiltration of

periportal spaces and may occur in acute hepatitis, hypoalbuminemia, ascites, cirrhosis, veno-occlusive disease, and heart failure. This not so rare condition should be considered on imaging in the presence of cystic structures adjacent to the biliary tree in cirrhotic livers. “
“The liver can either directly or indirectly be involved in systemic bacterial and fungal infections. This chapter examines bacterial selleck inhibitor infections (Gram positive/negative, mycobacterial, and spirochete) that affect the liver, either through direct invasion

or toxin production, and reviews fungal infections that can invade the liver and factors that predispose to this. Finally, a description is given of how indirect infection, through both cytokines and endotoxin, causes hepatic dysfunction by altering a number of canalicular hepatocyte transporter proteins that effect the secretion of both bile acids and bilirubin. “
“Portopulmonary MCE公司 hypertension (PPHTN) is the presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension in the setting of portal hypertension in the absence of other causes of pulmonary hypertension. The etiology is unclear but likely involves changes in the pulmonary artery circulation related to portal hypertension. Patients with PPHTN can be asymptomatic or can present with dyspnea on exertion or chest pain. The diagnosis is suspected on echocardiography and confirmed by right heart catheterization. Medical treatment involves oral or parenteral vasodilator therapy but is lengthy and has limited efficacy. Liver transplantation is an option for selected patients with PPHTN and is associated with improvement of pulmonary arterial hypertension. “
“Dr. Dibra and colleagues1 demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-30 reduced hepatotoxicity through the downregulation of interferon (IFN)-γ in a mouse model of T cell-mediated hepatitis.