Reversal of “Cirrhosis” in Idiopathic Haemochromatosis Following Long‐term Intensive Venesection Therapy

Summary Apparent complete reversal of cirrhosis is described in 2 patients with idiopathic haemochromatosis who were subjected to prolonged and intensive venesection. Evidence of increased iron stores was found in the relatives of both. It is suggested that the rarity of similar reports might be due to insufficiently long follow up of many cases. But the possibility that idiopathic haemochromatosis might eventually produce irreversible changes in the liver cannot be excluded. Further, intercurrent alcoholic damage may account for the failure, in some patients, of the hepatic lesions to resolve after adequate removal of iron.