Temple is recognized for expertise in drug hepatotoxicity, as well as viral hepatitis of all types, hepatic consequences of alcoholism, metabolic diseases of the liver, and interpretation of liver biopsies.

Temple is also a major referral center for all forms of hepatitis and cirrhosis. We're a regional center for the treatment of hepatitis B or C with interferon. Should your patient be a candidate for liver transplantation, Temple's experts can conduct a detailed patient evaluation, participating closely with other regional centers in both transplantation surgery and follow-up.

In addition, our newest therapeutic approaches to liver disease, designed to prevent the need for transplantation, include:

• Immunosuppression and immunomodulation

• Varix obliteration

• Ursodeoxycholic acid and other therapies for hepatobiliary pruritus

• Portal decompression using T.I.P.S.S. (Transjugular Intrahepatic Porto Systemic Shunting)

We're continually investigating the mechanisms of drug hepatotoxicity, viral hepatitis, portal hypertension and the molecular basis of other hepatic disturbances. We participate in a wide variety of studies of drugs used for patients with all forms of liver disease.