Laparoscopic and histological problems in the diagnosis of nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver.

We describe the laparoscopic findings in 5 patients with nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver (NRH). A nodular liver surface and signs of portal hypertension were observed, which in all cases gave rise to the laparoscopic diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. Multiple and single liver biopsies in 3 and 2 cases respectively, permitted the definitive diagnosis of the NRH lesion. The laparoscopic picture of NRH is indistinguishable from that of cirrhosis, and for this reason it is advisable to carry out liver biopsy even in cases where cirrhosis seems unquestionable.