Hepatic lymphatics in patients with liver diseases. Preliminary observations

The morphologic pattern of the lymphatic network of the liver visualized in the course of PTC is described and a radiologic-pathologic correlation attempted. The difficulties in evaluating lymph vessel calibre depend both upon the variation observed in normal cases and upon the changes caused by distention with contrast medium. Only extreme changes in calibre, especially dilatation, suggest diffuse hepatic parenchymal disease (cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, congestive liver). No pathognomonic pattern was observed but a peculiar lymph vessel network is described in two patients with neoplastic infiltration of the liver.