A Case of Peliosis Hepatis, Diagnosed by Peritoneoscopic Liver Biopsy

Moon, Young Myung; Kang, Jin Kyung; Park, In Suh; Chon, Chae Yoon; Han, Kwang Hyub; Park, Sang Jin; Moon, Hee Yong; Kim, Kyeung Jin

Abstract

Peliosis hepatis is characterized by the presence in the liver of blood-filled cavities, which may or may not be lined with sinusoidal cells. The individual cysts or cavities usually do not exceed several centimeters in diameter. The cysts are typically continuous with adjacent, more normal sinusoids, and they sometimes can be seen in continuity with hepatic venous tributaries. The lesion is usually diagnosed by gross or microscopic examination. When suspected, it can be diagnosed by percutaneous liver biopsy. In the past, peliosis hepatis is primarily associated with wasting diseases, such as tuberculosis, malignancy, and chronic suppurative infection. However, recently peliosis hepatis is seen most commonly in association with the administration of anabolic steroids or HIV infection. We report a case of peliosis hepatis that is diagnosed by peritoneoscopic live biopsy and not associated with known disease.