Hepatic sinusoidal dilatation related to oral contraceptives. A study of two patients showing ultrastructural changes.

Two patients who have been on oral contraceptives for five and six years developed sinusoidal dilatation. Hepatic enlargement, tenderness and pain disappeared after the discontinuance of steroid drugs. Ultrastructural changes included dilatation of endoplasmic reticula with accumulation of granular electron dense material, disruption of mitochondrial membranes and deposits of collagen fibers in the intercellular spaces between hepatocytes and in the spaces of Disse. Possible relationship of this condition to peliosis hepatis and focal nodular hyperplasia are discussed.