[Histologic patterns of liver damage in chronic poisoning from tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (author's transl)]

Six subjects, affected with TOCP polyneuritis, were submitted to liver biopsy by means of Menghini's technique. By means of both optic and electron microscopy, histologic and ultrastructural findings of liver damage were evaluated, whose genesis is believed to be due to the toxic effect of TOCP. The hepatocytes showed changes, mainly represented by cloud-vacuolar swelling of the cytoplasm, with abnormalities of nuclear membrane and lipofuscin pigment accumulation. The above mentioned patterns were found in all the examined needle biopsies, which possibly account for their toxic nature.