Cholestasis pathophysiology
Please help WikiDoc by adding more content here. It's easy! Click here to learn about editing.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Cholestasis Microchapters |
Diagnosis |
---|
Treatment |
Case Studies |
Cholestasis pathophysiology On the Web |
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Cholestasis pathophysiology |
Risk calculators and risk factors for Cholestasis pathophysiology |
Overview
Under a microscope, the individual hepatocytes will have a brownish-green stippled appearance within the cytoplasm, representing bile that cannot get out of the cell. Canalicular bile plugs between individual hepatocytes or within bile ducts may also be seen, representing bile that has been excreted from the hepatocytes but cannot go any further due to the obstruction. When these plugs occur within the bile duct, sufficient pressure (caused by bile accumulation) can cause them to rupture, spilling bile into the surrounding tissue, causing hepatic necrosis. These areas are known as bile lakes, and are typically seen only with extra-hepatic obstruction.