Light and electron microscopic study of the liver in paraquat poisoning.

Intrahepatic cholestasis in paraquat poisoning in man has been thought to be secondary to extensive bile duct injuries, though its exact mechanism remains unsettled. We have examined liver biopsy specimens from two cases of paraquat poisoning. Case 1 (fatal) presented severe intrahepatic jaundice, and liver biopsy showed centrilobular cholestasis with extensive bile duct loss.