Periportal sinusoidal dilatation, inflammatory bowel disease, and the contraceptive pill.

Two women, aged 19 and 28 yr, who had been on the contraceptive pill for at least 18 mo, developed abnormal levels of circulating liver enzymes, minimal hepatomegaly, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Liver biopsy in both women showed a sinusoidal dilatation sparing the perihepatic venous regions. The liver function abnormality resolved on stopping the pill. Both patients also had clinically mild inflammatory bowel disease. The possibility of both liver and bowel abnormalities being effects of contraceptive steroids is discussed.