Peliosis hepatis: Personal experience and literature review

Peliosis of the spleen as an unusual cause of splenic rupture: A case report and a review of literature

Isolated splenic peliosis is an extremely rare condition characterized by the presence of multiple blood-filled cavities, occasionally resulting in non-traumatic splenic rupture with fatal bleeding. In our case, a 64-year-old man was brought by ambulance due to weakness and abdominal pain without nausea or febrility. On clinical examination, the patient was sensitive to palpation with significant tenderness over the abdomen but no associated features of peritonitis. He collapsed during the imaging examination and became unconscious and asystolic. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was not successful. The patient died approximately within 2 hours of admission to the hospital. Postmortal examination showed 2800 ml of intraperitoneal blood with clots and a laceration of the lower pole of the spleen. Macroscopic examination of the spleen revealed huge nodular splenomegaly, measuring 21 cm x 19 cm x 5 cm, weighing 755 g. On the cut surfaces, multiple randomly distributed blood-filled cavities ranging from 0,5 to 2 cm in diameter were seen. At microscopic examination, the specimens showed multiple irregular haemorrhagic cyst-like lesions that were not lined by any epithelium or sinusoidal endothelium, consistent with the diagnosis of peliosis lienis. Although the condition is often clinically silent, the forensic pathological significance arises from the differential diagnosis of resultant intraperitoneal haemorrhage and sudden death, mimicking a violent death.

Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for vascular diseases of the liver - current indications and open questions

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is a widely available and well-tolerated technique that can expand the diagnosis of a variety of vascular liver diseases. This paper presents an overview of the current possibilities of the use of CEUS in vascular liver diseases. Particularly where Doppler sonography has technical limitations, CEUS provides additional opportunities to visualize vascular thrombosis and other obstructions restricting blood flow. When CT or MRI contrast agents cannot be used because of severe allergy or renal insufficiency, CEUS can be a valuable diagnostic alternative and has demonstrated comparable diagnostic performance in at least some vascular liver diseases, such as portal vein thrombosis. In addition, CEUS works without radiation and, therefore, might be particularly suitable for young patients and children. This may be useful, for example, in congenital disorders such as persistent umbilical vein or preduodenal portal vein. Vascular liver disease is rare and comprehensive data are still lacking, but the available literature provides promising insights into potential new ways to study vascular liver disease. Although most studies are based on small sample sizes or even case reports, the high diagnostic utility is undisputed.

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.

MRI of Peliosis Hepatis: A Case Series Presentation With a 2022 Systematic Literature Update

BACKGROUND

Peliosis hepatis (PH) is a rare benign condition, characterized by hepatic sinusoidal dilatation and blood-filled cystic cavities, often found incidentally, with still challenging diagnosis by imaging due to polymorphic appearance.

PURPOSE

Based on a retrospective analysis of our series (12 patients) and systematic literature review (1990-2022), to organize data about PH and identify features to improve characterization.

STUDY TYPE

Retrospective case series and systematic review.

POPULATION

Twelve patients (mean age 48 years, 55% female) with pathology-proven PH and 49 patients (mean age 52 years, 67% female) identified in 33 studies from the literature (1990-2022).

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

1,5-T; T1-weighted (T1W), T2-weighted (T2W), diffusion-weighted (DW), contrast-enhanced (CE) T1W imaging.

ASSESSMENT

We compared our series and literature data in terms of demographic (gender/age/ethnicity), clinical characteristics (symptoms/physical examination/liver test), associated conditions (malignancies/infectious/hematologic/genetic or chronic disorders/drugs or toxic exposure) percentage. On magnetic resonance imaging lesion numbers/shape/mean maximum diameter/location/mass effect/signal intensity were compared. PH pathological type/proposed imaging diagnosis/patient follow-up were also considered.

STATISTICAL TESTS

Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Reports/Series quality assessment. Intraclass correlation and Cohen's kappa coefficients for levels of inter/intrareader agreement in our experience.

RESULTS

Patients were mainly asymptomatic (92% vs. 70% in our study and literature) with associated conditions (83% vs. 80%). Lesions showed homogeneous T1W-hypointensity (58% vs. 65%) and T2W-hyperintensity (58% vs. 66%). Heterogeneous nonspecific (25% vs. 51%), centrifugal (34% vs. 8%), or rim-like centripetal (25% vs. 23%) patterns of enhancement were most frequent, with hypointensity on the hepatobiliary phase (HBP), without restricted diffusivity. Good inter- and intrareader agreement was observed in our experience. Concerning JBI Checklist, 19 out of 31 case reports met at least 7 out of 8 criteria, whereas 2 case series fulfilled 5 and 6 out of 10 items respectively.

DATA CONCLUSION

A homogeneous, not well-demarcated T1W-hypointense and T2W-hyperintense mass, with heterogeneous nonspecific or rim-like centripetal or centrifugal pattern of enhancement, and hypointensity on HBP, may be helpful for PH diagnosis. Among associated conditions, malignancies and drug exposures were the most frequent.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Solitary peliosis hepatis mimics a liver metastasis on contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Peliosis hepatis remains a rare focal liver lesion with inconclusive imaging features. The unknown pathogenesis represents a wide possible range of etiologies including the breakdown of the sinusoidal borders, a potential hepatic outflow obstruction or dilatation of the central vein of a hepatic lobule. In histopathology, a blood-filled cystlike appearance with sinusoidal dilatation was reported. On ultrasound, B-mode features are not specific demonstrating a irregular, moreover hypoechogenic focal liver lesions. Postcontrast imaging features on Contrast-Enhanced-Ultrasound may mimic a malignant lesion with irregular contrast inflow and washout during late phase. Our case demonstrates a peliosis hepatis with malignant image features on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, ruled out by PET-CT and core needle biopsy with corresponding histopathological workup.

A Case of Hepatic Angiosarcoma with Peliosis Hepatis

A 59-year-old woman presented to our hospital with liver dysfunction. Imaging revealed multiple lesions in the liver. The patient was diagnosed with peliosis hepatis using percutaneous and laparoscopic biopsies. However, her condition worsened with the appearance of new, obvious mass-forming lesions. Therefore, she underwent a second percutaneous biopsy of these lesions and was diagnosed with hepatic angiosarcoma. Her condition progressed rapidly, and she died two weeks after the diagnosis. Diagnosis of hepatic angiosarcoma in the early stages is difficult. It should be noted that hepatic angiosarcoma may be associated with the development of peliosis hepatis.

Liver pathology and biochemistry in patients with mutations in TRIM37 gene (Mulibrey nanism)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Mulibrey nanism (MUL) is a multiorgan disease caused by recessive mutations in the TRIM37 gene. Chronic heart failure and hepatopathy are major determinants of prognosis in MUL patients, which prompted us to study liver biochemistry and pathology in a national cohort of MUL patients.

METHODS

Clinical, laboratory and imaging data were collected in a cross-sectional survey and retrospectively from hospital records. Liver histology and immunohistochemistry for 10 biomarkers were assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty-one MUL patients (age 1-51 years) with tumour suspicion showed moderate congestion, steatosis and fibrosis in liver biopsies and marginally elevated levels of serum GGT, AST, ALT and AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) in 20%-66%. Similarly, GGT, AST, ALT and APRI levels were moderately elevated in 12%-69% of 17 MUL patients prior to pericardiectomy. In a cross-sectional evaluation of 36 MUL outpatients, GGT, total bilirubin and galactose half-life (Gal½) correlated with age (r = 0.45, p = .017; r = 0.512, p = .007; r = 0.44, p = .03 respectively). The frequency of clearly abnormal serum values of 15 parameters analysed, however, was low even in patients with signs of restrictive cardiomyopathy. Transient elastography (TE) of the liver revealed elevated levels in 50% of patients with signs of heart failure and TE levels correlated with several biochemistry parameters. Biomarkers of fibrosis, sinusoidal capillarization and hepatocyte metaplasia showed increased expression in autopsy liver samples from 15 MUL patients.

CONCLUSION

Liver disease in MUL patients was characterized by sinusoidal dilatation, steatosis and fibrosis with individual progression to cirrhosis and moderate association of histology with cardiac function, liver biochemistry and elastography.

Imaging of the chemotherapy-induced hepatic damage: Yellow liver, blue liver, and pseudocirrhosis

The liver is the major drug-metabolizing and drug-detoxifying organ. Many drugs can cause liver damage through various mechanisms; however, the liver response to injury includes a relatively narrow spectrum of alterations that, regardless of the cause, are represented by phlogosis, oxidative stress and necrosis. The combination of these alterations mainly results in three radiological findings: vascular alterations, structural changes and metabolic function reduction. Chemotherapy has changed in recent decades in terms of the drugs, protocols and duration, allowing patients a longer life expectancy. As a consequence, we are currently observing an increase in chemotherapy-associated liver injury patterns once considered unusual. Recognizing this form of damage in an early stage is crucial for reconsidering the therapy regimen and thus avoiding severe complications. In this frontier article, we analyze the role of imaging in detecting some of these pathological patterns, such as pseudocirrhosis, “yellow liver” due to chemotherapy-associated steatosis-steatohepatitis, and “blue liver”, including sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, veno-occlusive disease and peliosis.

Peliosis Hepatis with Chylous Ascites in a Dog

A 6-year-old spayed female Toy Poodle dog was referred to the Hokkaido University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for abdominal distension. Abdominocentesis yielded ascitic fluid that had a mildly increased total protein concentration and a 2.7-fold higher triglyceride concentration than plasma, and was interpreted as chylous ascites. The patient had an enlarged liver, which contained multiple, small, nodular masses and cyst-like structures. Microscopically, these lesions were multifocal dilated spaces containing lymphocytes, endothelial cells, fibrin and islands of hepatocytes. Increased α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells were observed in hepatic sinusoids. Based on these findings, we diagnosed peliosis hepatis with chylous ascites, which is likely to have been due to lymphangiectasia and disrupted hepatic sinusoids. Neither Bartonella spp DNA nor mutations in ACVRL1 and MTM1 genes were detected, although there was a 47-fold increase in hepatic ACVRL1 expression compared with age-matched control liver. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of chylous ascites resulting from peliosis hepatis in any species.

Newly detected liver nodules with a history of colorectal cancer: are they metastatic? Review of 2,632 cases in a single center

Background

The diagnosis of newly detected liver nodules in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is crucial for determining prognosis and treatment. Accurate identification of benign nodules can help avoid unnecessary therapy. The aim of our study was to retrospectively review patients with CRC who underwent liver resection for benign liver nodules misdiagnosed as CRC metastasis (CRLM) in our institution.

Methods

We reviewed all patients with a history of CRC who underwent liver resection from January 2012 to December 2019 in our institution. We specifically focused on nodules pathologically confirmed as benign. The pathology was rechecked by an independent pathologist. The clinicopathological characteristics of these patients were collected. Preoperative imaging examinations, including ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) were reviewed.

Results

From 2012 to 2019, a total of 2,632 patients with CRC who were preoperatively diagnosed CRLM received liver resection, among which 2,584 (98.2%) cases were proven to be malignant, and 48 (1.8%) cases were benign. Among these 48 cases, 24 were pathologically confirmed as focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), 9 were peliosis, 10 were inflammatory lesions, and 5 were hemangioma. At least one preoperative imaging examination indicated CRLM, with a median size of 2.0 cm (range, 0.4–8.0 cm). Before liver resection, ten patients received chemotherapy after the discovery of liver nodules.

Conclusions

It should be noted that newly detected liver nodules in patients with a history of CRC could be benign. Accurate diagnosis of liver nodules in CRC is necessary to avoid overtreatment and to identify cost-effective medication.

Imaging presentation and postoperative recurrence of peliosis hepatis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Peliosis hepatis (PH) is a rare benign lesion of vascular origin with a pathological characteristic of multiple blood-filled cavities in the liver parenchyma. It is commonly misdiagnosed due to its lack of specificity in clinical presentation and laboratory test results. Herein, a case of a patient with PH who was misdiagnosed with hepatic echinococcosis before operation to remove the lesions was analyzed, with an emphasis on the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of PH.

CASE SUMMARY

We outline the case of a 40-year-old Chinese female who was admitted with aggravated abdominal pain with fever for 1 wk. Ultrasound examination at the local hospital indicated hepatic echinococcosis. However, discordance between imaging diagnosis, clinical history and laboratory examinations in our hospital. Subsequently, the patient was pathologically confirmed as having PH-like changes, which recurred 1 year after operation removal of the lesion.

CONCLUSION

Our objective is to highlight the imaging diagnostic value of PH.

Ultrasound findings in peliosis hepatis

Purpose

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) findings in patients with peliosis hepatis (PH).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of CEUS features in 24 patients with histopathologically confirmed PH (11 men and 13 women; mean age, 32.4±7.1 years; range, 28 to 41 years). All lesions were histologically proven, either by core needle biopsy (n=10) or by hepatic surgery (n=14).

Results

The mean size was 36.8±12.4 mm (range, 10 to 80 mm). On B-mode ultrasonography (BMUS), all PH lesions were heterogeneously hypoechoic, with well-defined margins but irregular shapes. No mass effect was observed. During the arterial phase of CEUS, all lesions displayed mild heterogeneous hyperenhancement (83.3%, 20/24) or isoenhancement (16.7%, 4/24). Furthermore, 87.5% of the PH lesions showed mild washout after 1 minute in the portal venous phase (30-120 seconds) and mild washout in the late phase (>120 seconds).

Conclusion

The lack of a mass effect on BMUS, mild heterogeneous arterial hyperenhancement, and washout in the very late portal venous phase (after 1 minute) on CEUS are characteristic of PH. Although it is a histological diagnosis, PH should be considered in the differential diagnosis when the clinical context does not favor a malignancy or infection.

Psoriatic arthritis associated with peliosis hepatis: characteristics and therapeutic management

Peliosis hepatis is characterized by hepatic sinusoidal dilatation and multiple blood-filled cystic cavities within the liver parenchyma. It can be due to infectious diseases, immunological disorders, neoplasia, and the use of various kinds of drugs. We presented the case of a nonsmoker 55-year-old man who complained about a 5-month history of arthritis. Medical history was consistent with psoriasis and hypertension. He denied any drug use or alcohol consumption. Physical examination showed extended psoriatic lesions. He had arthritis of the knees, ankles, wrists, and elbows. His body mass index was 22 kg/m². Laboratory findings revealed an increased serum gamma-glutamyl transferase level (1014 UI/L, normal value (N) 11-55) and total alkaline phosphatase (278 U/L, N 30-171). Hepatitis A, B, and C serologic test results were negative. Anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-Ro/SSA, anti-GP210, anti-SP100, anti-SLA, anti-LKM1, anti-M2, anti-LC1, and anti-PML were also negative. Histopathological examination of a liver biopsy specimen revealed peliosis hepatis.The pelvic radiograph showed bilateral ankylosis of sacroiliac joints. Hand and foot radiographs showed periosteal bone apposition. The diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis associated with peliosis hepatis was made. The patient received infliximab (5 mg/kg) with a significant improvement after 3 months of follow-up. Peliosis hepatis should be considered as a possible etiology of liver enzyme abnormalities in patients with psoriatic arthritis. We highlighted the effectiveness and safety of the TNF inhibitors in the treatment of peliosis hepatis associated with psoriatic arthritis. Key Points • Peliosis hepatis should be considered as a possible etiology of liver enzyme disturbance in patients with psoriatic arthritis. • Special caution should be advised in the management of psoriatic arthritis associated with peliosis hepatis to avoid the worsening of liver function. • Infliximab is suggested as a possible treatment of peliosis hepatis associated with psoriatic arthritis.

Drug induced liver injury: an update

Drug induced liver injury (DILI) is a relatively rare hepatic condition in response to the use of medications, illegal drugs, herbal products or dietary supplements. It occurs in susceptible individuals through a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors believed to modify drug metabolism and/or excretion leading to a cascade of cellular events, including oxidative stress formation, apoptosis/necrosis, haptenization, immune response activation and a failure to adapt. The resultant liver damage can present with an array of phenotypes, which mimic almost every other liver disorder, and varies in severity from asymptomatic elevation of liver tests to fulminant hepatic failure. Despite recent research efforts specific biomarkers are not still available for routine use in clinical practice, which makes the diagnosis of DILI uncertain and relying on a high degree of awareness of this condition and the exclusion of other causes of liver disease. Diagnostic scales such as the CIOMS/RUCAM can support the causality assessment of a DILI suspicion, but need refinement as some criteria are not evidence-based. Prospective collection of well-vetted DILI cases in established DILI registries has allowed the identification and validation of a number of clinical variables, and to predict a more severe DILI outcome. DILI is also in need of properly designed clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of new DILI treatments as well as older drugs such as ursodeoxycholic acid traditionally used to ameliorate cholestasis or corticosteroids now widely tried in the oncology field to manage the emergent type of hepatotoxicity related to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

A rare case of peliosis hepatis in primary immune deficiency

Peliosis hepatis is a rare condition characterized by blackish-blue blood-filled cavities in hepatic parenchyma caused by dilatation of hepatic sinusoids. Peliosis hepatis has been described in secondary immunodeficiencies and certain medications. We present the first case of peliosis hepatis in a patient with a primary immunodeficiency, common variable immunodeficiency. A 44-year-old African-American male presented with gastrointestinal bleeding and elevated liver function tests. His medical history included common variable immunodeficiency and chronic kidney disease. The patient had jaundice, regenerative nodules on liver pathology, and low immunoglobulin levels. A magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen with contrast revealed a cirrhotic liver, a 5 × 3 cm lesion, and poorly defined nodules which had decreased enhancement. A computed tomography-guided liver biopsy revealed peliosis hepatis, focal nodular hyperplasia, and fibrosis. No other etiology of his liver disease was found. The etiology of peliosis hepatis in patients with primary immunodeficiencies remains unclear. Additional studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.

Ruptured splenic peliosis in a patient with no comorbidity: A case report

BACKGROUND

Splenic peliosis is a disease characterized by widespread blood-filled cystic cavities within the parenchyma. Patients with this disease are usually asymptomatic; therefore, spontaneous or trauma-related rupture of the hemorrhagic cysts can occasionally cause life-threatening hemorrhagic shock.

CASE SUMMARY

A 51-year-old male patient with abdominal pain visited our emergency medical center two times with an interval of 2 mo. The patient was discharged from the hospital without treatment at his first visit; however, at the time of second admission, the hemoperitoneum with multiple cystic lesions of the spleen was found incidentally on the abdomen computed tomography scan. Since the patient was stable hemodynamically, a scheduled surgery was performed. The operative findings were consistent with splenic peliosis, and laparoscopic splenectomy was performed to prevent recurrent rupture of the hemorrhagic cysts.

CONCLUSION

Splenic peliosis is extremely rare, and we suggest splenectomy is necessarily required as a definite treatment for ruptured splenic peliosis to rescue patients with hemodynamic instability and to prevent recurrent rupture of hemorrhagic cysts in patients with stable hemodynamics.

Huge peliosis hepatis mimicking cystic echinococcosis: A case report

RATIONALE

Peliosis hepatis (PH), which is characterized by blood-filled cavities in the liver, is a rare disease. Its diagnosis depends on postoperative pathological examinations and immunohistochemistry.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 44-year-old female complained of right-middle upper abdominal pain and distension for 1 month, with occasional vomiting and fever.

DIAGNOSIS

Because of the similar imaging features, the patient was initially misdiagnosed as cystic echinococcosis (CE). The immunoassay of echinococcosis was negative. Irregular hepatectomy was performed. Eventually, the patient was diagnosed with PH based on postoperative histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent hepatectomy. Then, the cystic lesion was collected for intraoperative pathological examination. Thus, the blood liquid was extracted from the cystic lesion. Pringle maneuver was administered to prevent bleeding, and then the whole cystic lesion was removed.

OUTCOMES

She recovered smoothly and there was no relapse occurred during 6 months' follow-up.

LESSONS

It is difficult to differentiate PH from CE and other hepatic diseases due to the lack of special imaging features. Pathological examinations and immunohistochemistry can provide a confirmed diagnosis of PH.

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.

Liver haematoma as a presentation of peliosis hepatis

Peliosis hepatis (PH) is an uncommon, benign hepatic vascular condition involving liver lesions consisting of dilated sinusoidal spaces that ultimately lead to numerous blood-filled cavities within the liver parenchyma. We detail the case of a 62-year-old woman who presented with a large hepatic haematoma resulting from intracystic haemorrhage. She was subsequently diagnosed with PH via arteriogram. Her symptoms were successfully treated surgically with open fenestration. Patient's postoperative course was unremarkable, with no recurrence of symptoms to date.

Spontaneous hepatic rupture in a bodybuilder: a case report and review of the literature

This article is the first description of a spontaneous hepatic rupture in a young bodybuilder with a history of clenbuterol and ephedrine alkaloid use. The patient presented with a sudden mid-epigastric pain and vomiting. Hemoglobin levels decreased a few hours later and a computed tomography scan was performed which revealed a rupture of the right liver capsule and hemoperitoneum. Two attempts at transarterial embolization did not control the bleeding and a right hemihepatectomy was performed. The pathological report identified a hepatic adenoma, a capsular tear and diffuse peliosis hepatis. The patient was discharged in a good condition after eleven days. Spontaneous hepatic ruptures are rare and life-threatening and are usually described in association with tumors, connective tissue diseases and gestosis. This article is a review of the available literature with regard to this condition, with a focus on its relation to peliosis hepatis and banned substance used by body image fanatics. The present case highlights the challenging diagnosis of this potentially fatal liver complication in a healthy appearing male, the risk associated with the online trade of performance enhancing drugs and its relation with peliosis hepatis.

Chronic liver injury induced by drugs and toxins

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) occurs in a small fraction of individuals exposed to drugs, herbs or dietary supplements and is a relatively rare diagnosis compared with other liver disorders. DILI can be serious, resulting in hospitalization and even life-threatening liver failure, death or need for liver transplantation. Toxic liver damage usually presents as an acute hepatitis viral-like syndrome or as an acute cholestasis that resolves upon drug discontinuation. However, un-resolving chronic outcome after acute DILI can ensue in some subjects, the mechanisms and risk factors for this particular evolution being yet scarcely known. Furthermore, the definition of chronicity after acute DILI is controversial, regarding both the time frame of liver injury persistence and the magnitude of the abnormalities required. Besides this, in some instances the phenotypes and pathological manifestations are those of chronic liver disease at the time of DILI diagnosis. These include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, vascular lesions, drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis, chronic cholestasis leading to vanishing bile duct syndrome and even cirrhosis, and some drugs such as amiodarone or methotrexate have been frequently implicated in some of these forms of chronic DILI. In addition, all of these DILI phenotypes can be indistinguishable from those related to other etiologies, making the diagnosis particularly challenging. In this manuscript we have critically reviewed the more recent data on chronicity in DILI with a particular focus on the epidemiology, mechanisms and risk factors of atypical chronic DILI phenotypes.

Liver involvement in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Liver vascular malformations (VMs) in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) are typically diffuse and can evolve from small telangiectasias to large arteriovenous malformations, with various stages of severity. Doppler US is the ideal first-line investigation for the assessment of liver VMs in HHT due to its safety, tolerability, low costs, and accuracy for the detection of liver VMs. The caliber, course, and flow characteristics in the hepatic artery, portal vein, and hepatic vein as determined by Doppler US, together with parenchymal abnormalities, support the diagnosis of liver VMs in HHT and their severity staging. When Doppler US expertise is lacking or an assessment of HHT patients with symptoms/signs suggestive of complicated liver VMs is required, particularly if OLT is considered, multiphase CT or MRI is suitable to investigate symptomatic liver VMs. Liver biopsy is neither necessary for the diagnosis of hepatic VMs related to HHT nor should be considered in HHT patients with liver mass/es suggestive of focal nodular hyperplasia.

Isolated hepatic non-obstructive sinusoidal dilatation, 20-year single center experience

AIM

To characterize isolated non-obstructive sinusoidal dilatation (SD) by identifying associated conditions, laboratory findings, and histological patterns.

METHODS

Retrospectively reviewed 491 patients with SD between 1995 and 2015. Patients with obstruction at the level of the small/large hepatic veins, portal veins, or right-sided heart failure were excluded along with history of cirrhosis, hepatic malignancy, liver transplant, or absence of electrocardiogram/cardiac echocardiogram. Liver histology was reviewed for extent of SD, fibrosis, red blood cell extravasation, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, hepatic peliosis, and hepatocellular plate atrophy (HPA).

RESULTS

We identified 88 patients with non-obstructive SD. Inflammatory conditions (32%) were the most common cause. The most common pattern of liver abnormalities was cholestatic (76%). Majority (78%) had localized SD to Zone III. Medication-related SD had higher proportion of portal hypertension (53%), ascites (58%), and median AST (113 U/L) and ALT (90 U/L) levels. Nineteen patients in our study died within one-year after diagnosis of SD, majority from complications related to underlying diseases.

CONCLUSION

Significant proportion of SD and HPA exist without impaired hepatic venous outflow. Isolated SD on liver biopsy, in the absence of congestive hepatopathy, requires further evaluation and portal hypertension should be rule out.

Long-Term Survival in Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: Ramucirumab

We report a case of long-term survival with complete response of liver metastases within RAINBOW, a randomized, controlled trial of ramucirumab 8 mg/kg intravenously (days 1, 15) versus placebo, both plus paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 intravenously (days 1, 8, 15), every 4 weeks in patients with previously treated advanced gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. A 64-year-old man with gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma and liver metastases received first-line folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil plus oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) following jejunostomy. On liver progression, he enrolled in RAINBOW (April 2012), receiving ramucirumab. In November 2013, positron emission tomography scan was consistent with complete metabolic response, confirmed by a follow-up scan in March 2016.

Liver lesions detected in a hepatitis B core total antibody-positive patient masquerading as hepatocellular carcinoma: a rare case of peliosis hepatis and a review of the literature

Peliosis Hepatis (PH) is a rare vascular disorder of the liver, characterized by the presence of cystic blood-filled cavities distributed throughout the hepatic parenchyma. The pathogenesis of PH remains controversial. The preoperative diagnosis of PH is difficult, due to the non-specific imaging characteristics of PH and almost all cases are diagnosed on histology post resection. This study presents a case of PH masquerading as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The patient is a 45-year old Chinese lady, who presented with transaminitis. She was found to be hepatitis B virus core total antibody-positive with an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) of 29.4 ng/ml. Triphasic liver computed tomography showed several arterial hypervascular lesions and hypoenhancing lesions on the venous phase, particularly in the segments 6/7. Subsequently, a magnetic resonance imaging scan showed multiple lesions in the right hemiliver with an indeterminate enhancement patterns. Subsequently, she decided to undergo a resection procedure. Histopathology revealed findings consistent with PH with some unusual features. This case demonstrates a clinical conundrum, in which PH presented with a raised AFP, in a patient with risk factors for the development of HCC. The clinical suspicion of PH should be high in patients, who present with multiple hepatic lesions with variable enhancement patterns.