Peliosis hepatis in a chronic hemodialysis patient

Spontaneous Hepatic Rupture in the Setting of Peliosis Hepatis and End-Stage Renal Disease

Rare and sometimes fatal, spontaneous hepatic rupture (SHR) is frequently documented in conjunction with various benign and malignant hepatic tumors, peliosis hepatis (PH), amyloidosis, and polyarteritis nodosa. PH is a rare disease characterized by the presence of sinusoidal dilation and blood-filled cysts throughout the hepatic parenchyma. Handling and identifying this condition can be challenging, particularly in the absence of a history of liver cirrhosis or a tumor. The present case involves a 61-year-old male with a SHR and PH, accompanied by a significant history of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) over the past year. The patient presented to the emergency department with a three-week history of right flank pain. Hemoglobin levels were found to be low; the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was progressively decreasing. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a rupture of the right liver capsule, hemoperitoneum, PH, and an edematous gall bladder. The current case illustrates the diagnosis and management of PH and hemoperitoneum. This case emphasizes the challenging diagnosis of this potentially fatal liver complication in an outwardly healthy male, highlighting the connection between PH and ESRD.

A rare case of peliosis hepatis in a patient with chronic renal failure and renal cell carcinoma

Peliosis hepatis (PH) is a rare disease characterized by the presence of sinusoidal dilation and blood-filled cysts throughout the hepatic parenchyma. We report a case of PH in a 49-year-old woman with chronic renal failure (CRF) on hemodialysis and with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a 35-mm-diameter, hypervascular tumor in the liver and RCC in the right renal cyst. Ultrasound and superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging were also performed; however, the liver tumor could not be distinguished from the metastasis of RCC. Therefore, echo-guided biopsy of the liver tumor using an 18-G Majima needle was performed. Histological evaluation of the specimen showed irregular sinusoidal dilatation and blood-filled cavities without malignant cells. She was ultimately diagnosed with PH. Subsequently, she underwent total right nephrectomy for RCC and was diagnosed with RCC stage 1 (pT1N0M0). A follow-up CT performed 4 months after nephrectomy showed no growth of PH. Although the development of PH in patients with CRF or RCC who do not undergo renal transplantation is extremely rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis to distinguish PH from the metastasis of RCC.

Cushing's Syndrome from an Ectopic Pituitary Adenoma with Peliosis: A Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Study and Review of the Literature

Ectopic pituitary adenoma (EPA) is rare and, to the authors' knowledge, its association with peliosis has not yet been described. The case of a 38-yr-old woman with clinical and biochemical evidence of Cushing's syndrome is reported. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a normal pituitary and a separate mass in the sphenoid sinus. The surgically removed portion of the sellar pituitary contained no adenoma. There was only Crooke's hyaline change in the corticotrophs, indicating exposure to glucocorticoid excess. By histology, the mass in the sphenoid sinus was a congested, chromophobic, partly basophilic, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive pituitary adenoma composed of pleomorphic, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-positive, corticotrophs. There was focal immunopositivity for MIB-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Electron microscopy confirmed the diagnosis of corticotroph adenoma. A striking finding, consistent with the diagnosis of peliosis, was the presence of multiple large blood-filled spaces lacking an endothelial lining. The capillaries were dilated, but often appeared empty and the fenestrated endothelium exhibited discontinuities. The cause of peliosis is obscure. It may be that the venous outflow was impaired in this case leading to capillary dilation, congestion, hyperpermeability, rupture, and accumulation of blood in extravascular spaces.

Laparoscopic study of peliosis hepatis and nodular transformation of the liver before and after renal transplantation: natural history and aetiology in follow-up cases

Although peliosis hepatis and nodular transformation of the liver can occur after renal transplantation, their prevalence has not been well defined. To investigate the incidence of these complications, 137 laparoscopies were studied, 52 in 50 cases before and 85 in 66 cases after renal transplantation. To elucidate the aetiology and natural history of these diseases, cases were followed up by repeated laparoscopies. Peliosis was observed after transplantation (before: n = 1, after: n = 15 [22%], p < 0.005). Nodular transformation was seen only after transplantation (n = 5 [7%]), and was accompanied by peliosis (n = 4, p < 0.01). On observation before and after transplantation in the same cases, these diseases appeared after transplantation (peliosis: n = 9, p < 0.005; nodular transformation: n = 2). In follow-up cases, these diseases were confirmed after the discontinuation of or the controlled administration of immunosuppressants. The aetiology of the micronodular transformation which appeared following peliosis in a case treated without cyclosporin was shown to be azathioprine. However, the macronodular transformation observed in two cases treated with both azathioprine and cyclosporin seemed to be due to cyclosporin. This suggests that cases of peliosis hepatis and nodular transformation which appear after renal transplantation are associated with immunosuppressants, and that cyclosporin treatment may also affect the morphogenesis of nodular transformation.

[Peliosis hepatis in dermatomyositis treated with azathioprine and corticoids]

We report a case of peliosis hepatis in a 47-year old male patient with dermatomyositis treated with azathioprine and corticosteroids. Three months after the combined treatment was initiated, the patient developed right thoracic herpes zoster, agranulocytosis and liver enlargement with signs of portal hypertension. Needle biopsy of the liver revealed peliosis. Azathioprine was withdrawn. The clinical and laboratory abnormalities disappeared progressively. The main causes of peliosis hepatis are considered. Up to now, azathioprine had been held responsible for peliosis hepatis only in renal transplant recipients.

Peliosis hepatis, nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver, and light-chain deposition in a patient with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

We report the case of a female patient suffering from Waldenström's macroglobulinemia with three different liver lesions: peliosis hepatis, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, and light-chain deposits within the sinusoidal walls. We hypothesize that both peliosis hepatis and nodular regenerative hyperplasia might be the consequence of a disordered intrahepatic circulation determined by light-chain deposits infiltrating the sinusoidal walls.

Peliosis hepatis in a renal transplant recipient and in a haemodialysis patient

Peliosis hepatis is described in a renal transplant recipient and in a patient who was receiving long-term haemodialysis. This uncommon liver lesion has been reported in a number of patients, including 18 renal transplant recipients and two patients with chronic renal failure. However, its cause, clinical features, natural history and clinical significance remain to be determined. We emphasize that, although it is rare, peliosis hepatis should be considered in long-term haemodialysis and renal transplant patients who exhibit hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly and/or disordered liver function (in particular, elevation of hepatic alkaline phosphatase levels).