Case Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 28, 2013; 19(16): 2578-2582
Published online Apr 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i16.2578
Surgical treatment of a patient with peliosis hepatis: A case report
Wei Pan, Hai-Jie Hong, Yan-Ling Chen, Sheng-Hua Han, Chang-Yue Zheng
Wei Pan, Hai-Jie Hong, Yan-Ling Chen, Sheng-Hua Han, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian Province, China
Chang-Yue Zheng, Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian 351100, Fujian Province, China
Author contributions: Pan W and Hong HJ contributed equally to this work; Chen YL designed the report; Chen YL, Han SH, Hong HJ and Pan W are attending doctors for patient treatment; Chen YL and Han SH performed operation; Zheng CY conducted literature search; Chen YL organized the report; Pan W wrote the paper.
Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81272373; the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, China, No. 2012J01358
Correspondence to: Yan-Ling Chen, MD, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29 Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian Province, China. ylchen@medmail.com.cn
Telephone: +86-591-87665700 Fax: +86-591-87665700
Received: January 18, 2013
Revised: February 4, 2013
Accepted: March 6, 2013
Published online: April 28, 2013
Processing time: 185 Days and 14.4 Hours
Abstract

This report describes a case of a space-occupying lesion in the right liver in a 38-year-old man who was found to have peliosis hepatis. Clinical data of this patient were presented, including medical history, laboratory test and imaging results, and postoperative pathological findings (hematoxylin and eosin staining). Review of his medical history showed that the patient had been bitten by a dog three years earlier. B-mode ultrasonography revealed an uneven echo mass in the right hemiliver, and magnetic resonance imaging scans also showed a mass in the anterior segment of the right liver. Upon surgical removal, the mass was found to be 4.0 cm × 3.8 cm × 3.8 cm in size and located in segment VI. The mass had a dark and soft appearance, with an irregular edge on intraoperative ultrasonography. Postoperative pathological findings revealed many small capsules filled with blood cells. The patient was diagnosed with peliosis hepatis based on his medical history of having been bitten by a dog, presence of mild anemia, and lack of characteristic symptoms, including fever of unknown origin, abdominal pain, and hepatosplenomegaly, combined with intraoperative and postoperative pathologic findings. The operation was successful, and after being treated with anti-infection agents, the patient had a good recovery.

Keywords: Peliosis hepatis; Surgical treatment; Ultrasonography; Space-occupying lesion

Core tip: This report describes a case of a space-occupying lesion in the right liver in a 38-year-old man who was diagnosed with peliosis hepatis based on the medical history of having been bitten by a dog, presence of mild anemia, and lack of characteristic symptoms, including fever of unknown origin, abdominal pain, and hepatosplenomegaly, combined with intraoperative and postoperative pathologic findings. The operation was successful, and after being treated with anti-infection agents, the patient had a good recovery.