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2753936 
Journal Article 
Vinyl Chloride Related Hepatic Angiosarcoma in a Polyvinyl Chloride Autoclave Cleaner in Australia 
Riordan, SM; Loo, CKC; Haber, RW; Thomas, MC 
1991 
1 
Medical Journal of Australia
ISSN: 0025-729X
EISSN: 1326-5377 
NIOSH/00203641 
155 
2 
125-128 
English 
1857292 
A1991FX21400021 
A case of vinyl-chloride (75014) related hepatic angiosarcoma in a polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) autoclave cleaner was described. A 51 year old male with a 6 week history of anorexia, fatigue, right sided abdominal pain, and progressive abdominal distension was hospitalized. He had experienced a weight loss of approximately 7 kilograms and recently developed jaundice. He reported working as an autoclave cleaner in an Australian PVC production factory for 9 years until 15 years before his hospitalization. He was exposed to high atmospheric vinyl-chloride concentrations while cleaning the autoclaves and did not use any respiratory protection. Clinical examination revealed jaundice and loss of limb muscle bulk and characteristics of liver disease such as palmar erythema, spider nevi, and gynecomastia. Abdominal palpation revealed massive hepatomegaly having a 28 centimeter span in the midclavicular line. Liver function tests showed increased bilirubin and gamma-glutamyltransferase and hypoalbuminemia. An abdominal computed tomographic scan showed diffuse enlargement of the liver with an abnormal texture. The patient's clinical condition deteriorated rapidly. Liver size increased rapidly and ascites developed. He developed oliguric renal failure and encephalopathy, and died 21 days after being hospitalized. Autopsy revealed a hepatic angiosarcoma and edematous kidneys with mild diffusive interstitial fibrosis. The authors conclude that the hepatic angiosarcoma in the patient was the result of his heavy exposure to vinyl-chloride. 
Vinyl Chloride; WD06X94M2D; Index Medicus; Time Factors; Middle Aged; Australia; Occupational Diseases -- pathology; Hemangiosarcoma -- pathology; Sterilization -- instrumentation; Vinyl Chloride -- adverse effects; Liver Neoplasms -- chemically induced; Liver Neoplasms -- pathology; Hemangiosarcoma -- chemically induced; Occupational Diseases -- chemically induced