PERITONEOSCOPICAL FINDINGS OF LIVER SARCOIDOSIS

Abstract

Peritoneoscopical findings and clinical features of three liver sarcoidosis patients, as diagnosed by means of peritoneoscopy and liver biopsy, were comparatively studied before and after treatment. The subjects were all females, ranging from 30 to 42 in age. Their chest x-rays revealed signs of BHL, pulmonary lesions, and fluid accumulation. Jaundice, splenohepatomegaly, and hemorrhagic ascites were detected as related physical manifesta-tions of their hepatic lesions. Liver function tests in some cases demonstrated elevated levels of GOT, GPT and total bilirubin or a rise in biliary enzyme levels and hyper-y-globulinemia, but in the other, virtually normal functions. ACE levels had increased in all patients. Peritoneoscopy revealed a typical whitish lesion on the liver surface, but its size and density varied considerably among the individuals. Steroids were effective in treating splenohepatomegaly and improved the hematobiochemical profile. Under the peritoneo-scope, however, the whitish lesion on the liver persisted even after the treatment.