What is Peliosis Hepatis?

What is Peliosis Hepatis?

Peliosis hepatis is a rare vascular condition of the liver characterized by a proliferation of the sinusoidal hepatic capillaries that results in cystic blood-filled cavities distributed randomly throughout the liver [1,2].

How does Crohn’s disease affect the liver?

This inflammation, which affects less than 3 percent of patients with CD, leads to scarring of the bile ducts and eventually the liver, preventing bile from flowing normally.

What is the main complication of Crohn’s disease?

Complications of Crohn’s disease may or may not be related to the inflammation within the intestine. Intestinal complications of Crohn’s disease include obstruction and perforation of the small intestine or colon, abscesses (collections of pus), fistulae, and intestinal bleeding.

Can Crohns cause enlarged liver?

affecting people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease equally. This is a condition whereby extra fat gets deposited in the liver, squeezing out normal liver cells. This can happen in other conditions as well, like diabetes, pregnancy, and obesity. It can be due to steroid use as well.

What is hepatic peliosis hepatis?

Peliosis hepatis is a liver disorder in which blood-filled cysts are distributed throughout the hepatic parenchyma. The cavities range in size from less than 1 mm to several centimeters. It is most common in the liver, but is also seen in abdominal lymph nodes, bone marrow, and the spleen.

Can Oral contraceptives cause peliosis hepatis?

The hallmark of peliosis hepatis is multiple blood-filled cystic cavities in the hepatic parenchyma. Oral contraceptives are among a long list of drugs and disorders associated with this vascular lesion [17,18]; other causes include Bartonella infection, human immunodeficiency virus infection, lymphoma, malnutrition, and tuberculosis.

Is peliosis caused by LSEC injury?

There are two strong pieces of evidence that support the hypothesis that peliosis is caused by LSEC injury. First, as can be seen in Table 8-1, drugs that cause peliosis hepatis are also associated with other forms of liver disease linked to LSEC injury.

How is peliosis treated in HIV infection?

Treatment, although inconsistently effective, targets the likely cause. In cases associated with anabolic steroid use, discontinuation of these agents has been shown to cause disease regression. In HIV-positive patients, peliosis may respond to prolonged courses of erythromycin or doxycycline.