Abstract
Macroscopic findings obtained by peritoneoscopic study on patient with possible liver cirrhosis sometimes serve as important hallmark to the progression of the disease process. In the present study, the specific finding as designated as patchy liver pattern was examined in a number of cases with various stages of chronic hepatitis. Subjects studied in the present series of study covers 40 cases with patchy liver pattern with laparoscopy who reexamined after one year period. Twenty-five cases had B type hepatitis, and 15 cases had NANB hepatitis. Sex ratio was 27:13. Sequental peritoneoscopic studies performed over 1 year periods were analysed. Thirteen cases with B hepatitis (52%) were confirmed to progress to definite cirrhosis by macroscopic as well as hitopathologic examination by biopsy. Stationary cases were 5 (20%) and apparent improvement took place in 7 cases (28%). In NANB hepatitis cases, on the other hand, a slight progression to cirrhosis, were noted in 10 cases (67%), whereas stationary cases were noted in 5 cased (33%). Among 12 cases who showed marked improvement and stationary over one year periods, eAg was positive in 9 cases, however, 8 cases (87%) changed to negative and 5 cases (56%) showed seroconversion. In cirrhosis group, eAg persisted in 82% of cases. These results indicate that histology of chronic type B hepatitis at the stage of patchy liver improves after seroconversion.
