Open AccessPeliosis hepatis as an early histological finding in idiopathic portal hypertension: A case report
Author(s) -
Annalisa Berzigotti,
Donatella Magalotti,
P. Zappoli,
Cristina Rossi,
Francesco Callea,
Marco Zoli
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v12.i22.3612
Subject(s) - peliosis hepatis , portal hypertension , medicine , asymptomatic , pathogenesis , liver biopsy , pathology , liver disease , biopsy , gastroenterology , vascular disease , cirrhosis , disease
Peliosis hepatis is a rare condition characterized by dilatation of hepatic sinusoids and blood-filled spaces in the liver mainly observed in subjects exposed to toxic substances or estrogens, which is frequently asymptomatic. Non-cirrhotic idiopathic portal hypertension (NCIPH) is also a vascular disease of the liver rarely observed in European countries, which is usually diagnosed only when the hemorrhagic complications of portal hypertension occur. We report a case of NCIPH in a young Caucasian male who was diagnosed with liver peliosis, showing ultrasonographic and endoscopic signs of portal hypertension four years after. A second biopsy was diagnostic for NCIPH. Even if the pathogenesis remains obscure, peliosis hepatis can be considered as an early sign of vascular disease of the liver, which may progress to more definite conditions.