Gut Liver.
2010 Dec;4(4):551-555.
Liver Cirrhosis Induced by Porphyria Cutanea Tarda: A Case Report and Review
- Affiliations
-
- 1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea. umsh@korea.ac.kr
- 2Liver Cirrhosis Clinical Research Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a metabolic disorder that results in a decrease in uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity. It is characterized by photosensitivity, bullae formation, and skin pigmentation. There are four types of PCT: acquired, familial, toxic, and hepatoerythropoietic. Uroporphyrin levels are elevated in the urine of PCT patients. PCT can be differentiated from other porphyrias by its clinical characteristics and the porphyrin levels in the serum, erythrocytes, urine, and feces. This metabolic disorder can lead to liver dysfunction as well as histological changes such as fatty infiltration or hepatic fibrosis. PCT rarely manifests as liver cirrhosis. We report herein a case of PCT-induced liver cirrhosis that progressed to hepatic failure.
