Wilson's disease is a disorder of copper metabolism that is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. Light microscopic findings in symptomatic Wilson's disease may be normal. Electron microscopy may show characteristic changes in the hepatocytes. In the present study the liver of a patient with asymptomatic Wilson's disease was Investigated. Many lipid droplets varying in size were observed within the hepatocyte cytoplasm. Nucleus and cytoplasm were rich in glycogen. Mitochondria showed marked pleomorphlsm. Cristae of some of the mitochondria were Increased and dilatated, intercristal spaces were narrowed. Cristae of some of the mitochondria were decreased and thin, intercristal spaces were enlarged. Cristae were absent in some of the mitochondria. Tubules of agranular endoplasmic reticulum were sometimes enlarged. Many lysosomes and Upofuscin pigment were observed within the cytoplasm. Many lysosomes were also observed within the cytoplasm of Kupffer's cells. The mitochondria and lysosomes displayed the most prominent changes. It is suggested that electron microscopy may be helpful in early diagnosis of Wilson's disease even in the asyptomatic stage of the disease.
Key words : Wilson's Disease, Liver, Electron Microscopy
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