Alcoholic Hepatitis with and without Alcoholic Hyaline

Abstract

Sixteen cases of alcoholic hepatitis with alcoholic hyaline (Group I) and 13 cases without alcoholic hyaline (Group II) were collected since 1970. These were most frequently found in the 5th decade in both groups. One female was found in Group I. Cases of about 2/3 of both groups were consumers of 110 g or more of alcohol per day. No significant differences except fever and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were found in clinical and laboratory changes between both groups. Fatty change in liver biopsy specimens were more frequently seen in Group I than in Group II. The wedged hepatic venous pressure was markedly elevated in alcoholic hepatitis with cirrhosis and moderately elevated in alcoholic hepatitis without cirrhosis. Wedged hepatic venography showed the main portal trunk and extrahepatic collaterals, i.e., reversal of the portal flow or such tendency in 2 of 5 patients of Group I.