The successful treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma arising from congenital hepatic fibrosis using radiofrequency ablation under laparoscopy

Heritable Chronic Cholestatic Liver Diseases: A Review

Chronic cholestasis due to heritable causes is usually diagnosed in childhood. However, many cases can present and survive into adulthood. The time course varies considerably depending on the underlying etiology. Laboratory data usually reveal elevated conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Patients may be asymptomatic; however, when present, the typical symptoms are pruritus, jaundice, fatigue, and alcoholic stools. The diagnostic methods and management required depend on the underlying etiology. The development of genome-wide associated studies has allowed the identification of specific genetic mutations related to the pathophysiology of cholestatic liver diseases. The aim of this review was to highlight the genetics, clinical pathophysiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of heritable etiologies of chronic cholestatic liver disease.

Extrarenal Manifestations: Polycystic Liver Disease and Its Complications

The liver is the commonest site of involvement outside of the kidney in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Most individuals with polycystic liver disease are asymptomatic and require no therapeutic interventions, but a small number of affected individuals who experience symptomatic polycystic liver disease develop medical complications as a result of massive enlargement of cyst number and size and hepatic parenchyma and its subsequent associated complications. This can lead to deterioration in overall health and quality of life, increasing morbidity and mortality. In this review, we will touch upon disease pathogenesis, prevalence, and complications and discuss recent advances in surgical and medical management.

Congenital Cystic Lesions of the Bile Ducts: Imaging-Based Diagnosis

Congenital cystic lesions of the bile ducts represent a spectrum of liver and biliary system lesions, resulting from abnormal embryologic development of the ductal plate. These disorders include Caroli disease, choledochal cysts, autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease, congenital hepatic fibrosis, and biliary hamartomas. Each disorder carries a peculiar clinical presentation, prognosis, and risk of complications. Knowledge of radiological findings of fibropolycystic liver diseases is crucial for their appropriate detection and for differential diagnosis with other similar hepatic cystic lesions, in order to avoid relevant misdiagnosis. The aim of this review is to provide an illustrative summary of the most relevant imaging findings of these conditions as encountered on ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, and provide pearls for imaging-based differential diagnosis.