Exocrine pancreatic tissue in human liver: a metaplastic process?
Numerous microscopic foci of exocrine pancreatic tissue consisting of acini and small ductules were distributed throughout the liver of a 41-year-old patient with severe posthepatitic cirrhosis. The acinar cells were characterized by abundant zymogen granules on electron microscopic examination and a strong reaction with antibodies to alpha-amylase on immunoperoxidase staining. The pancreatic tissue was associated with proliferations of bile ductules within areas of fibrosis. No relationship with hepatocytes was observed. A metaplastic origin of the pancreatic tissue from the intrahepatic biliary epithelium is suggested.
Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710.
H K
HK
Wolf
J L
JL
Burchette
J A
JA
Garcia
G
G
Michalopoulos
D000328:Adult; D002828:Choristoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000473:pathology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure