Cross-sectional imaging of pediatric biliary disorders.

The liver is the largest organ in the abdomen taking up a relatively greater area in infants and young children. It is a unique organ with a dual blood supply and amazing regenerative capacity. The liver has a number of important functions with regard metabolism, detoxification, and immune function. The internal anatomy of this organ is orderly and highly structured around the basic functional unit--the hepatic lobule and portal triad. Numerous pathologic conditions can involve the liver. In this article, we will focus on etiologic, clinical, and cross-sectional imaging features of several childhood congenital and acquired disorders of one component of the portal triad--the biliary system.