Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC)
Primary biliary cirrhosis, considered to be an autoimmune disease, is a progressive necroinflammatory disease of the liver involving the interlobular bile ducts. It may progress to cirrhosis in some patients. Females are predominantly affected.
Non-necrotizing granulomas are frequently present in portal triads. The number of granulomas decreases as the histologic stage of the disease progresses. The question as to whether the presence of granulomas is associated with an improved prognosis is unresolved. Small clusters of portal tract histiocytes, not quite forming granulomas (? early granulomas), are also frequently found.
Other causes of hepatic granulomas include sarcoidosis, drug reaction, tuberculosis, Hodgkin disease, hepatitis C, autoimmune hepatitis, and resolving biliary obstruction.
Photomicrographs of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC)
