Berzigotti A, Magalotti D, Zappoli P, Rossi C, Callea F, Zoli M. Peliosis hepatis as an early histological finding in idiopathic portal hypertension: A case report. World J Gastroenterol 2006; 12(22): 3612-3615 [PMID: 16773721 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i22.3612]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Professor Marco Zoli, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Cardioangiologia, Epatologia, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Via Massarenti, 9; 40138-Bologna, Italy. marco.zoli@unibo.it
Article-Type of This Article
Case Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 14, 2006; 12(22): 3612-3615 Published online Jun 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i22.3612
Peliosis hepatis as an early histological finding in idiopathic portal hypertension: A case report
Annalisa Berzigotti, Donatella Magalotti, Paola Zappoli, Cristina Rossi, Francesco Callea, Marco Zoli
Annalisa Berzigotti, Donatella Magalotti, Paola Zappoli, Marco Zoli, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Cardioangiologia, Epatologia, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Università di Bologna, Italy
Cristina Rossi, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Istocitopatologiche, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Università di Bologna, Italy
Francesco Callea, Servizio di Anatomia Patologica, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by a grant on Vascular Disorders of the Liver from Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Cardioangiologia, Epatologia, Università di Bologna to Dr. A Berzigotti
Correspondence to: Professor Marco Zoli, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Cardioangiologia, Epatologia, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Via Massarenti, 9; 40138-Bologna, Italy. marco.zoli@unibo.it
Telephone: +39-051-6362211 Fax: +39-051-6362210
Received: October 14, 2005 Revised: November 2, 2005 Accepted: November 10, 2005 Published online: June 14, 2006
Abstract
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.
