Analysis of the liver biopsies: a histopathological study

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the spectrum of childhood liver diseases. Design: A department-based retrospective study. Place and Duration of Study It was carried out at the department of Pathology, Children's Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Lahore, over a period of two years [October 1998 to October 2000]. Subjects and The histopathological data of total 50 percutaneous needle biopsies, wedge biopsies and partial hepatectomy specimens of both the sexes between 1 month - 16 years age were collected and compared with the findings reported from centers in other parts of the country. The commonest cause of hepatomegaly was hepatic inflammatory disorder in 43 cases [29%] followed by biliary atresia in 40 cases [27%]. Other causes of hepatomegaly were hepatic neoplasia 11 cases [7.3%], cirrhosis 10 cases [7%], glycogen storage disease 10 cases [7%] and fatty change in 8 cases [5.3%]. Hepatic diseases are quite common in paediatric population in Pakistan and percutaneous needle liver biopsy is an important and helpful diagnostic procedure in undiagnosed cases of hepatomegaly