hepatic and biliary disorders
Hepatic Granulomas
Pathophysiology of Hepatic Granulomas
A granuloma is a localized collection of chronic inflammatory cells with epithelioid cells and giant multinucleated cells. Caseating necrosis or foreign body tissue (eg, schistosome eggs) may be present. Most granulomas occur in the parenchyma, but in Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) , granulomas may occur in the hepatic triads. Granuloma formation is incompletely understood. Granulomas may develop in response to poorly soluble exogenous or endogenous irritants. Immunologic mechanisms are involved. Hepatic granulomas rarely affect hepatocellular function. However, when granulomas are part of a broader inflammatory reaction involving the liver (eg, Liver Injury Caused by Drugs , 