[Chronic lymphatic leukemia and portal hypertension: a causal association?]

The authors report two cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and portal hypertension without an apparent cause. In the first patient, the histopathological study disclosed severe lymphocytic infiltration of the liver with moderate fibrosis of portal spaces. In the second patient, regenerative nodular hyperplasia of the liver was shown to be associated with lymphocytic infiltration. On the basis of these two observations, the authors discuss the mechanisms of portal hypertension in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It is concluded that there probably is a causal relationship between both disorders, although its pathogenesis may be diverse.