Abstract
A 62-year-old male was admitted to the hospital because of dysphagia with the duration of about 4 months. He was diagnosed as eaophageal cancer and received radiation therapy. After radiation of 1, 400 rails to the epigastrium, including a part of the left lobe of the liver, the abnormality of liver function test was detected. The liver scintigrams after the radiation of 6, 000 rails showed defect of the left lobe corresponded with irradiated area. Laparoscopic examination and liver biopsy were parformed. Right lobe of the liver showed smooth surface with almost normal color. In contrast, the capsula of the irradiated left lobe became turbid, thickened, and hard with red-brown discoloration. And, atrophic surface of the lower left lobe was observed as white band, but a part of the left lobe out of the radiation field had smooth surface. Histology of the right lobe showed almost normal, but that of the irradiated left lobe area showed distortion of hepatic cell cords, degeneration and atrophy of hepatic cells and fibrosis of Glisson's capsule. Histologic findings were compatible with laparoscopic findings, and we concluded laparoscopic examination was valuable in the diagnosis of radiation hepatitis.
