Summary
Reddish-purple areas occasionally found on the surface of the liver have been related
to peliosis hepatis. The purpose of the present study was to determine: 1) the frequency
of these changes in a total of 3035 laparoscopies and 2) the histological substrate
of these laparoscopical changes. In 20 cases (0.65 %), reddish-purple patches of round,
triangular, star-shaped or net-work configuration were found on the liver surface.
Liver biopsies taken from these areas showed: 1) dilatation of sinusoids; 2) blood-filled
cavities, and 3) intralobular hemorrhages. These lesions were frequently combined.
In three cases no lesions were found. The presence of these histological lesions was
compared with those found in a group serving as controls, in whom no reddish-purple
spots were seen at laparoscopy. Our study shows that there is a close statistical
relationship (χ2: 19.01; p < 0.001) between the histological and laparoscopic changes. We conclude
that: 1) Reddish-purple areas on the liver surface are caused by Peliosis hepatis
or are Peliosis hepatis-related lesions, and 2) Peliosis hepatis is not an extremely
rare condition in laparoscopy.
Key words:
Peliosis Hepatitis - Laparoscopy
