A reappraisal of Poulsen's disease (hepatic zone 1 sinusoidal dilatation)

The possible cause and pathogenesis of this disease are reviewed. The condition is rare, and there are only few reports which throw some light on this remarkable morphology. It is hypothesized that metabolic zonation in the functional liver acinus may be the basis of these changes, but lack of experimental and clinical studies still makes it enigmatic.