Clin Mol Hepatol.  2015 Dec;21(4):387-392. 10.3350/cmh.2015.21.4.387.

Peliosis hepatis presenting with massive hepatomegaly in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

• Kim SB
• Kim DK
• Byun SJ
• Park JH
• Choi JY
• Park YN
• Kim DY

• KMID: 2359821
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3350/cmh.2015.21.4.387

Abstract

Peliosis hepatis is a rare condition that can cause hepatic hemorrhage, rupture, and ultimately liver failure. Several authors have reported that peliosis hepatis develops in association with chronic wasting disease or prolonged use of anabolic steroids or oral contraceptives. In this report we describe a case in which discontinuation of steroid therapy improved the condition of a patient with peliosis hepatis. Our patient was a 64-year-old woman with a history of long-term steroid treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura . Her symptoms included abdominal pain and weight loss; the only finding of a physical examination was hepatomegaly. We performed computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver and a liver biopsy. Based on these findings plus clinical observations, she was diagnosed with peliosis hepatis and her steroid treatment was terminated. The patient recovered completely 3 months after steroid discontinuation, and remained stable over the following 6 months.

Keyword

Peliosis hepatis; Hepatomegaly; Steroids

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use
Female
Hepatomegaly/complications/*diagnosis/pathology
Humans
Liver/pathology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Peliosis Hepatis/complications/*diagnosis/pathology
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Treatment Outcome
Adrenal Cortex Hormones