Chapter 43 GRANULOMATOUS LIVER DISEASE
PRESENTATION AND CLINICAL EXAMINATION
Typical presentations include pyrexia of unknown origin or incidental abnormal liver function tests. Often the clinical examination is normal, though there may be symptoms and signs of an associated systemic disease (Figure 43.1). Infrequently, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly or lymphadenopathy may be detected.
Biochemical liver tests
Generally, liver function testing is non-specific, but a predominant alkaline phosphatase (ALP) elevation may be present.
Histopathology
Hepatic granulomas are found in 0.8%–15% of liver biopsies. The epithelioid granuloma may be associated with distinguishing morphological pathological features. These can include duct involvement (primary biliary cirrhosis), periductal location with acute inflammatory changes (large duct obstruction with cholangitis), parenchymal and perivenular location (tuberculosis), caseation (tuberculosis), fibrin-ring pattern with central fat vacuole (Q fever), schistosome ova (schistosomiasis) or a positive fungal stain.
CAUSES OF GRANULOMAS
The most common causes of hepatic granulomas where primary biliary cirrhosis has been excluded are sarcoidosis, chronic liver disease, biliary tract disease, tuberculosis, Q fever, other infections, drug hepatotoxicity, neoplasms and idiopathic (Table 43.1).
Associated with pyrexia of unknown origin | Sarcoidosis, tuberculosis (miliary and pulmonary, caseation important), atypical mycobacterium, Q fever, brucellosis, cat-scratch disease, mycoses, drugs, idiopathic granulomatous hepatitis |
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) | Mycobacterium avium complex, idiopathic, other mycobacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma
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