On the Pathogenesis of Banti's Syndrome

Abstract

Our view on the pathogenesis of Banti's syndrome was presented on the basis of a series of clincial and pathological observations. First, an infection or other noxious stimuli arouse simultaneous responses of the spleen and the liver, resulting in splenitis and hepatitis. If hepatitis on this occasion is strong enough to cause fibrosis of the liver and, consequently, obliteration of intra-hepatic portal branches, the portal pressure is considerably increased and the increased pressure gradually transforms the splenitic spleen into the typical Banti spleen. In such a process, the enlarged spleen exerts an adverse effect to the liver and a vicious circle is thus formed to aggravate the condition. Evidence for this hypothesis was shown in this communication.