[Liver disease in polyvinyl chloride production workers - Clinical and peritoneoscopic aspects (author's transl)]

Peculiar clinical symptoms observed in polyvinyl chloride production workers of a nearby chemical plant arose the suspicion of liver and spleen disease in these workers before first reports on vinyl chloride-induced angiosarcoma of the liver became known. Starting at the end of 1972, 44 workers were followed up by biochemical investigations, peritoneoscopy and liver biopsy. As early as 1973 it could be ascertained, that advanced vinyl chloride-induced liver damage presents as hepatic fibrosis with splenomegaly, portal hypertension, and thrombocytopenia without conspicuous deterioration of hepatic parenchyma function. Similar symptoms have been observed after chronic intoxication by arsenic and thorium dioxide (thorotrast). The clinical and peritoneoscopic aspects of the disease are described.