Histopathologic features of liver biopsy specimens in sickle cell disease.

Liver biopsy results and clinical records from 13 patients with sickle cell anemia were reviewed to assess the relative importance of local ischemia or of factors unrelated to sickling as a cause of their liver disease. Two of the biopsy specimens were normal and one showed cirrhosis. Nine patients had received multiple blood transfusions and nine had cholelithiasis, of whom two also had choledocholithiasis. Seven had both risk factors. Five had lobular cholestasis and four had acute or chronic hepatitis. One biopsy specimen showed changes of the Budd-Chiari syndrome. Another showed clear portal tract changes of large bile duct obstruction but no mechanical blockage of the biliary system; this suggests the thickened bile as postulated by Muirhead. Otherwise the changes observed were those to be expected in a heavily transfused population with a high prevalence of gallstones.