[Role and significance of needle biopsy of the liver in the diagnosis of congenital bile duct atresia].

Clinical differential diagnosis of neonatal icteric diseases not infrequently appears to be difficult. Diagnostic means are limited. The needle biopsy of the liver has become an important aid in the diagnosis of neonatal liver diseases. Authors have analysed 21 biopsies obtained from children with congenital bile duct atresia and 8 biopsies from children with cholestatic hepatosis. Findings are compared with those revealed in neonatal hepatitis and other processes. The early changes (intracanalicular and intraductal cholestasis) are similar both in congenital bile duct atresia and in cholestatic hepatosis. In the later phase of the process in cholestatic hepatosis and in other diseases increasing cholestasis and a secondary damage to the parenchyma, but first of all portal changes came into being and gave a reliable basis for the differential diagnosis. Liver biopsy is indispensable for the diagnosis of mentioned diseases.