In recent years, knowledge about the cell biology of the cholangiocytes and the function of the bile ducts has increased considerably. Their role in liver diseases is increasingly recognized. As a consequence, important progress has been made not only in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology but also in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary liver diseases. This book, the proceedings of the Falk Symposium 107 on `Diseases of the Liver and the Bile Ducts - New Aspects and Clinical Implications', held in Prague, Czech Republic, on April 30-May 2, 1998, brings together scientists and clinicians to highlight the most recent advances in molecular biology, physiology, diagnosis and therapy of diseases of the biliary system. World experts cover a broad spectrum of topics from genetic tests to endoscopy and from medical treatment to liver transplantation.

Inhalt

List of Principal Authors. Preface. Section I: Morphology, Histopathology and Oncology. 1. Proliferation and Ductal Morphogenesis of Bile Duct Epithelial Cells; A.E. Sirica, et al. 2. Bile Duct Histopathology in Liver Diseases; V.J. Desmet, et al. 3. Stem Cell Biology and Bile Ducts; S.S. Thorgeirsson. 4. Cholangiocarcinoma - Clinical Aspects; K. Okuda. Section II: Physiology and Molecular Biology of Bile Formation and Cholestatic Liver Diseases. 5. Cholangiocyte physiology - Role in Bile Formation; J.G. Fitz. 6. Cholangiocyte Dysfunction, Role in Cholestasis; M. Strazzabosco, et al. 7. Dysregulation of Cholangiocyte Apoptosis by Cytokines; T. Patel. 8. MDR3 Deficiency and Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis; E. Jacquemin, et al. 9. Clinical Spectrum of Liver Disease in CFTR Deficiency and Cystic Fibrosis; C. Colombo. 10. Cholestasis in Systemic Infection; M. Trauner, et al. Section III: Cholestatic Liver Disesases - Autoimmunity. 11. Aetiopathogenesis and Clinical Spectrum of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis; R.W. Chapman. 12. Pathogenesis and Clinical Spectrum of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis; U. Beuers, G. Paumgartner. 13. Immunopathogenesis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Contemporary Issues; L. Dubel, et al. 14. Structural Features of Bile Ducts in Cholestatic Liver Diseases; A.M. Jezequel, et al. Section IV: Cholestatic Liver Diseases - Drugs, Toxins, Fibrosis and Gallstones. 15. Drug and Toxin Induced Vanishing Bile Duct Disorders; A.P. Geubel, C. Sempoux. 16. Fibrosis and Bile Duct Injury; S.L. Friedman. 17. The Pathogenesis of Gallstone Disease; Z. Mareček, et al. Section V: From Genetics to Endoscopy. 18. Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis; P.L.M. Jansen, M. Müller. 19. Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography in Diseases of the Bile Ducts; N. Holzknecht, M. Reiser. 20. Endoscopic Ultrasonography of the Biliary System; T. Rösch. 21. Serological Tests in Cholestatic Liver Disorders: PSC, PBC, and Autoimmune Cholangiopathy; C.P. Strassburg, M.P. Manns. Section VI: Chronic Cholestatic Liver Diseases. 22. The Treatment of PBC and other Vanishing Bile Duct Syndromes; J. Heathcote. 23. Management of Patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Medical, Interventional; A. Stiehl, et al. 24. Therapeutic Approaches to Complications of Cholestasis; U. Leuschner. 25. Liver Transplantation in Patients with Chronic Cholestatic Liver Diseases &endash; Approaches to Detection of Rejection and its Treatment; M. Hertl, et al. Section VII: Bile Duct Disorders and Gallstone Disease. 26. Biliary Complications after Liver Transplantation: Diagnosis and Management; J. Špičák. 28. Treatment of Gallstone Disease; S.M. Strasberg. Index.