AN AUTOPSY CASE OF PORTOPULMONARY HYPERTENSION ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Abstract

We report an autopsy case of pulmonary pexogenic arteriopathy associated with portal hypertension due to alcoholic liver cirrhosis, termed portopulmonary hypertension (PPHT). A 49-year-old man who has had alcoholic liver cirrhosis for 10 years complained of severe dyspnea (Fletcher-Hugh-Jones V). Chest CT revealed marked enlargement of bilateral hilar pulmonary arteries and cardiomegaly associated with right ventricular hypertrophy. The patient died from hepatic. encephalopathy and respiratory failure. Autopsy c1early revealed the wall thickness of pulmonary small vessels diffusely in peripheral fields on cut surfaces and marked dilatation of the main pulmonary artery, together with liver cirrhosis. Microscopically, the pulmonary small arteries demonstrated grade 5 pulmonary plexogenic arteriopathy inc1uding plexiform lesions and a micronodule resembling an arachnoid granulation or meningioma throughout the lungs. This case suggested that a typical plexogenic arteriopathy morphologically and definitely contributed to confirm PPHT, although the patient was c1inically suspected of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS).