1986 Volume 27 Issue 9 Pages 1254-1264
Changes of hepatic microstructure in obstructive jaundice were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively, especially on case whose jaundice was prolonged after biliary decompression, with the following results. With prolonged jaundice, the enlargement and increase of mitochondria (Mt) in hepatic cells and the decrease in the area of cristae membranes were observed. Marked enlargements of the bile canaliculi, marked decrease and shortening of the microvilli and hypertrophy of bile canalicular microfilaments (BCMF) were also found. More remarkable were cases complicated with chronic hepatic diseases and/or cholangitis, accompanying a thinning of the ectoplasm and a decrease of the BCMF. Furthermore, Kupffer cells were hypertrophied and occupied the sinusoid, resulting in circulatory disturbance. In summary, the marked changes of Mt in hepatic cells disturbed energy production and the hypertrophy of Kupffer cells caused circulatory disturbances in sinusoid, leading to decreased hepatic cellular function and delayed recovery after biliary decompression accompanying with disturbances of the bile canaliculi, which caused prolonged jaundice.
