Abstract
17 cases of hepaic tissues (including post operated cases and autopsied cases) of congenial biliary atresia (CBA) had studied to evaluate the histological characteristics of peri-ductal areas of intrahepatic bile ducts, histologically.
Light microscopically, each case had classified into 4 stages, according to the degree of hepatic fibrosis. Spindle shaped mesenchymal cells, which were positive to anti-α smooth muscle antigen, were observed in the peri-ductal areas, associated with laminar fibrotic appearances, especially in small sized inter-lobular bile ducts. These findings showed pararell intercourse with the degree of hepatic fibrosis. Further more, pri-ductal fibrosis had advanced in post operated cases.
Electron microscopically, Ito cells and their transformative cells, such as myofibroblasts and fibroblasts had been revealed in peri-ductal areas.
From these findings, Ito cells were considered to play the great roles of peri-ductal fibrosis in early stage of CBA, which lead to the stable stenosis of intra-hepatic bile ducts due to fibroblasts. So, histological examination of intra-hepatic bile ducts should be one of the prognostic factros in CBA.
