ABSTRACT
In this chapter, disorders of the liver, pancreas, biliary system and spleen are considered separately. However, it is important to appreciate that these systems are closely interrelated and may present with similar clinical features. The main clinical features of liver disease are jaundice and signs of liver failure. Blood tests form an integral part of the diagnosis of liver disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detects minute quantities of energy released by hydrogen ions when they are forced to change direction by a strong magnetic field. Portography involves puncture of the spleen percutaneously through an intercostal space and the injection of contrast to outline the splenic and portal vein and enable the measurement of portal venous pressure. Laparoscopy operation is being increasingly used for the assessment of a number of disorders such as jaundice, chronic liver disease, ascites of unknown origin and the staging of primary and secondary hepatic and pancreaticobiliary tumours.
