A case of hepatic veno-occlusive disease / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Veno-occlusive disease of the liver was first reported by Chiari in 1899. Pyrrolizidine-containing substances, chemotherapeutics and hepatic radiation injury can cause this disorder. Bone marrow and renal allograft recipients are at risk for the development of veno-occlusive lesions. Veno-occlusive disease produces a syndrome of painful hepatomegaly, jaundice and fluid accumulation. The disease affects central vein and zone 3 of the liver acinus. We discuss a patient with tender hepatomegaly and high fever due to veno-occlusive lesion. We mis-diagnosed this case as acute cholecystitis because of clinical symptoms and radiological findings of GB wall thickening. During the laparotomy, she was found to have a congested liver and dilatation of superficial lymphatics of the liver surface. The Liver biopsy showed centrilobular congestion and hepatocyte necrosis in acinar zone 3. We could not determine the etiological factor in this patient. We considered that she suffered a mild form of veno-occlusive disease and recovered spontaneously within 1 month.