Atlas of Liver Pathology, 4th Edition

By: Gary C. Kanel

ISBN: 9780323825337

Publication Date: August 31, 2023

Reviewed by: Jenelle Lee, MS, MD (University of Michigan Medical School)

Description

This is a comprehensive visual and descriptive “atlas” covering the full spectrum of liver pathology. A highly anticipated update of its last edition published in 2010, this publication includes additional information on ancillary cytogenetic and molecular genetics testing to supplement diagnostic accuracy in the modern age.

Purpose

This book provides concise, templated information on each liver disease including the clinical presentation, major morphologic features for histological assessment, special stains and immunohistochemistry, differential diagnoses, clinical and biological behavior, and information on the treatment and prognosis of the disease. With an abundance of high-quality photographs and easy-to-understand tables, it aims to offer an understanding of the clinical presentation and implications of each disease while providing the necessary information for the accurate diagnosis of liver biopsies.

Audience

This book will be a useful reference for trainees and practicing general pathologists as well as a concise handbook for gastrointestinal and liver pathologists. Additional information on clinical presentation and treatment and prognosis of each disease can serve both pathologists and clinicians who seek to understand the other side of their respective domains.

Features

The book is divided into two parts. The first part, which comprises the bulk of the text, begins with chapters describing the normal liver and its development as well as the basics of liver biopsy collection and evaluation. The following chapters subdivide liver diseases into broader categories by etiology, including a new chapter on autoimmune hepatitis as well as chapters on viral hepatitis, drug and toxin-related liver injury, infectious diseases, developmental diseases, neoplastic lesions, and transplant pathology. The second part of the book covers liver biopsy evaluation by morphology and includes images of morphologic entities which may be found on biopsies and tables of disease entities which these morphologies may be found in. Throughout the book, numerous high-quality images, charts, and tables help to illustrate each disease and help the reader visualize and organize diagnostic information.

Assessment

The previous edition of this book was lauded for its concise yet accurate information in addition to the abundance of quality of its images on both common and rare liver diseases. The updates found in this edition including information on new diagnostic biomarkers and the use of cytogenetics and molecular genetics testing helps the book maintain its value in providing pathologists with the information needed to diagnose liver biopsy specimens confidently and accurately. The book is well written, and the templatized organization of each disease makes for smooth navigation through its abundance of information. The newly added section on diagnosis by morphology is incredibly useful in helping to navigate otherwise difficult biopsy specimens.

For those beginning their study on liver pathology, the book provides foundational information for understanding both the clinical side of liver disease as well as the diagnostic features seen under the microscope. For those more familiar with liver pathology, it is a useful daily reference and a helpful guide when an unusual or difficult specimen is encountered.

©Doody’s Review Service, 2024, Jenelle Lee, MS, MD (University of Michigan Medical School), Doody’s Score: 90 – 4 Stars!

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