Description: Use of in vivo confocal laser endomicroscopy has revealed unexpected structures in the biliary tree.  Analysis of these structures led to a re-evaluation of classic concepts of the macro- and microanatomy of collagen stroma throughout the body, including submucosae of all viscera, the entire dermis, and all fascia.  The novel cell types, fluid dynamics, and collagen structures that these tissues share may warrant assessment as a "new organ."  Disease processes that may involve these spaces, such as cancer metastasis, mechanical obstruction, connective tissue disorders will be touched upon.

Bio: Neil Theise, MD is an internationally recognized expert in diagnostic liver pathology. He is Professor of Pathology at the New York University School of Medicine.  He has authored or co-authored chapters in major text books of liver pathology including: “Liver and Gallbladder” in Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, “Liver and Biliary Tree” in Robbins’ Basic Pathology, and “Viral hepatitis” in MacSween’s Pathology of the Liver.  His current research interests include clinical evaluation of fibrotic regression in chronic liver disease, novel anatomy of interstitial tissues throughout the body, and early diagnostic and pathobiologic aspects of very early PBC.