CLINICO-PATHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON CHRONIC HEPATITIS

2.) CORRELATION BETWEEN STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ALTERATION OF THE LIVER IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS

Abstract

The histological investigation on chronic hepatitis based on biopsy studies has been the subject of previous publication.
In this paper, a statistical attempt has been made to compare morphologic phenomena with the results of liver function tests in chronic hepatitis.
A tetracholic coefficient of correlation of the histological characteristic with the results of biochemical determination was chosen for statistical correlation. This attempt was believed to be necessary in order to understand the clinical findings of chronic hepatitis.
There was a statistically significant correlation between thymol turbidity test and regenerative process; the regenerative process included the following alteration: enlargement of hepatic cells and hepatic nuclei and inflammatory cellularity in portal spaces.
The interstitial inflammation and fibrosis revealed a good correlation with Kunkel's reaction and thymol turbidity test.
Correlation was also observed between elevation of icteric index and increased Kupffer's cell activities.
A significant correlation was found between elevation of iodic acid value of serum, a criteria indicating the grade of oxidation process, and following alteration of hepatic cells such as swelling, acidophilic shrinkage and irregularity in staining of the cytoplasma.
However no statistically significant relation was observed between morphologic alteration of hepatic cells and any of the function tests other than the thymol turbidity test and iodic acid value.
The results of this investigation is of strong evidence in emphasizing of the value of liver biopsy in the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis.