Abstract
In order to elucidate the morphogenesis of an interruption of the peripheral portal branch which is seen in the cases of idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH), histological observations were carried out on the livers of autopsy cases of schistosomiasis japonica (SJ) and of rabbits with experimental SJ. Vascular changes of the liver in chronic SJ and liver cirrhosis were examined using clear preparations and soft X-ray films.
In general SJ begin with matured egg embolism in the portal vein, followed by numerous thrombophlebitis and peripylephlebitis along the intrahepatic portal vein. With the progress of these lesions, fibrosis spread over the liver. Finally, egg nodules turn to scar and the fibrosis is rapidly improved. The characteristic features of the vascular structural changes in the liver of chronic SJ were the narrowing, crush and the change to shape like a weeping willow of the peripheral branch of the portal vein, appearance of obtuse branching angles, and the reduction of the number of branching. These findings contrast to those in liver cirrhosis.
Histological findings and vascular structures of the liver in IPH and chronic SJ showed close resemblance, and the change of portal vein was also sugested as a possible primary lesion in IPH. However, the splenomegaly which is always seen in IPH was not frequently noted in cases of SJ. It suggests some problems in the morphogenasis of IPH despite of those similar findings in IPH and chronic SJ.
