A Clinicopathologic Study on Chronic Alcoholic Hepatitis

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to evaluate the significant diagnostic points of chronic alcoholic hepatitis (CALH) among clinicopathologic findings observed. The specimens used in this study were 20 cases of CALH and 28 cases of chronic active viral hepatitis (CAVH), which were diagnosed at our University Hospital during 9 years period from 1978 to 1987. In these cases, comparative analysis of age and sex distribution, major clinical manifestations, and laboratory and histopathologic findings was performed. The results obained were summarized as follows Among 20 cases of CALH, the sex distribution was 15 in male and 15 in female with a ratio of 31. The range of age distribution was wide from third to seventh decade. There was no recognizable special point about the age and sex distribution of CALH, compared with cases of CAVH. Major clinical manifestations of CALH were hepatomegaly (85%), jaundice (75%) and abdominal pain (50%). Also there was no recognizable special point about the major clinical manifestations of CALH, compared with cases of CAVH. Abnormal values of major laboratory items in CALH were observed in activities of serum r-GTP (100%), SGOT (95%), SGPT (75%) and serum alkaline phosphatase (60%), and total serum bilirubin (60%). Compared with CAVH in major laboratory findings, the significant diagnostic items of CALH were the activities of serum r-GTP and alkaline phosphatase. The characteristic histopathologic findings of CALH, which were compared with CAVH and observed in liver parenchyma, were fatty change (100%), cytoplasmic ballooning and coagulation (100%), delicate fibrosis (85%), bile stagnation (35%), and Mallory bodies (20%), and that observed blurring of limiting plate (60%) in portal and periportal areas.