STRUCTURAL CHANGES OF THE DIAPHRAGMATIC PERITONEUM IN PATIENTS WITH SCHISTOSOMAL HEPATIC FIBROSIS: ITS RELATION TO ASCITES

AH Ismail, FS Mohamed

Abstract


The histopathologic changes of the
peritoneum of the hemidiaphragm were studied
in 30 patients with schistosomal liver disease
and compared with ten control subjects. The
diaphragmatic peritoneum of patients with
ascites was markedly thickened with infiltration
of inflammatory cells and collagen bundles
resembling the intersticial changes of peripheral
lymphedema. Obliteration of diaphragmatic
lymphatic stomata with restricted lymph flow
as well as excess lymph formation from portal
hypertension are both major factors in the
magnitude and incraccabilicy of ascites
associated with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis.


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