Sinusoidal portal hypertension in hepatic amyloidosis. Issue 2 (February 1991)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bion, E; Brenard, R; Pariente, E A; Lebrec, D; Degott, C; Maitre, F; Benhamou, J P
• Is Part Of: Gut. Volume 32:Issue 2(1991)
• Page Start: 227
• Page End: 230
• Publication Date: 1991-02
• Subjects: Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1136/gut.32.2.227
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-5749

Abstract

Abstract : Hepatic venous catheterisation and transvenous liver biopsy were performed in five patients with hepatic amyloidosis. In three patients, hepatic venous pressures were normal and histological examination of the liver biopsy specimen showed discrete and sparse perisinusoidal amyloid deposits. In the other two, however, the gradient between wedged and free hepatic venous pressures was increased (12 and 16 mmHg; normal 1-4 mmHg) and amyloid deposits were abundant and diffuse in the Disse's space. This study shows that portal hypertension in patients with hepatic amyloidosis is of the sinusoidal type and is related to the reduction of vascular space of hepatic sinusoids by massive perisinusoidal amyloid deposits. Furthermore, portal hypertension is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with hepatic amyloidosis.