Histologic changes in the liver during etretinate treatment.

Histologic changes in the liver were evaluated in thirty-two patients with different dyskeratotic dermatoses treated with etretinate (Tigason) during an average of 24.9 months. Fatty infiltration, nuclear variability, periportal inflammation, focal necrosis, fibrosis, and cholestasis were estimated. The usual dose was 50-75 mg/day, with reduction according to efficacy and side effects. No statistically significant differences were found between a control group of thirty-five liver biopsies from psoriasis patients who had not received systemic therapy and biopsies from the patients treated with etretinate. Among the thirty-two etretinate-treated patients, six had two serial biopsies, and eight had pretreatment biopsies. No significant changes appeared during therapy.