Biliary cytokeratin expression but not CD56 (N-CAM) expression aids in the differenzial diagnosis of non-neoplastic bile duct diseases

Introduction: Non-neoplastic bile duct diseases include several entities with a variety of clinical and histopathological features. In needle biopsies, however, these may overlap. Here, auxiliary diagnostic markers would be helpful. CD56 (N-CAM) has been reported in bile duct development, liver regeneration and different liver diseases. Aim: This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of CD56 immunohistochemistry compared to biliary cytokeratins in the diagnosis of non-neoplastic biliary liver diseases in liver needle biopsies. Methods: 38 cases (10x PSC; 10x PBC; 10x obstruction; 8x drug induced l…