Chronic intrahepatic cholestasis due to sarcoidosis

Hepatic sarcoidosis resembling primary sclerosing cholangitis

We report the case of a 29-year-old man who presented with progressive weight loss, night sweats, abdominal pain and pruritus who was found to have obstructive jaundice and cholestatic pattern of liver injury on laboratory workup. Though findings on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography were initially concerning primary sclerosing cholangitis, he was ultimately diagnosed with biliary sarcoidosis after a liver biopsy. This case brings attention to the rare phenomenon of hepatic sarcoidosis causing hyperbilirubinemia and highlights the importance of reaching the correct diagnosis early, as the patient’s symptoms improved after initiation of steroids.

Sarcoidosis with Hepatic Involvement: A Case Report

Sarcoidosis is a systemic, noncaseating granulomatous disease with an unknown etiology. The liver is one of the most frequently affected organs. This case is presented to emphasize that hepatic granulomatous foci can lead to a determination of etiology in a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. A 53-year-old-female patient with complaints of fatigue and abdominal pain was admitted to the clinic of gastroenterology. The blood levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were markedly increased. The autoimmune parameters were negative. A Tru-Cut biopsy (Becton, Dickinson and Co., Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) of the liver was performed based on the initial diagnoses of tuberculosis, lymphoma, and sarcoidosis. Histopathological evaluation revealed noncaseating granulomatous inflammation with Grade 3 macrovesicular steatosis. An investigation for hepatic sarcoidosis was recommended. The angiotensin-converting enzyme levels were 5 times higher than normal. Based on this result, the diagnosis was sarcoidosis with hepatic involvement. The treatment and follow-up of the patient continues.

Hepatic sarcoidosis: pathogenesis, clinical context, and treatment options

Sarcoidosis is typically characterized as a non-caseating granulomatous disease that has the ability to affect multiple different organ systems. Although extra-thoracic sarcoidosis can occur in the presence and also without lung involvement, isolated extra-pulmonary disease is rare. The liver is the third most commonly affected organ system after the lungs and lymph nodes. When discussing hepatic sarcoidosis it is important to keep in mind that many patients in this population may not present as one would typically expect since most of the patients are asymptomatic or have mild presentations. Therefore, the diagnosis can be difficult at times since no single laboratory or imaging study can definitively diagnose this systemic disease. In the rare case of some patients where there is difficulty in discerning between different pathologies, the use of image-guided tissue biopsy may be necessary to establish a diagnosis. At the current time, there are no clear guidelines for the management of hepatic sarcoidosis and are mostly dependent on a patient's clinical status at time of presentation. The current body of research in regard to treatment suggests steroids to be the mainstay of therapy. However, there is a role for additional immunosuppressive therapy in cases where the initial treatment is refractory to steroids. In this manuscript, we discussed the pathogenesis of liver sarcoidosis and context of its presentation. In addition, the differential diagnosis and imaging evaluation in this population is discussed. Finally, treatment options are reviewed in setting of previous studies for liver sarcoidosis.

Hepatic sarcoidosis presenting as portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis: case report and review of the literature

Systemic sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown etiology, with the liver being the third most commonly affected organ. Most cases of hepatic sarcoidosis are not clinically apparent, but a few can progress to liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension and ultimately liver failure. The diagnosis of hepatic sarcoidosis is difficult, considering that no single laboratory test or radiographic finding can definitively diagnose this systemic disease. Diagnosis of hepatic sarcoidosis relies heavily on histopathologic evaluation of two or more organs, a diagnostic modality that is invasive and may not be applicable to all patients. The treatment of hepatic sarcoidosis is challenging, with no large randomized controlled trials done to date. Physicians must be aware of the complications of hepatic sarcoidosis, and must include the same in the differential diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. We present a case of hepatic sarcoidosis complicated by portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis.

Ductopenia related liver sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease which may involve many organs. In approximately 95% of patients there is liver involvement, with noncaseating hepatic granulomas occurring in 21 to 99% of patients with sarcoidosis. Liver involvement is usually asymptomatic and limited to mild to moderate abnormalities in liver biochemistry. The occurrence of jaundice in sarcoidosis is rare; extensive imaging procedures and the examination of liver biopsies permit a precise diagnostic. Ductopenia associated with sarcoidosis has been reported in less than 20 cases and can lead to biliary cirrhosis and liver- related death. We report here on a case of ductopenia-related sarcoidosis in which primary biliary cirrhosis and extrahepatic cholestasis have been carefully excluded. The patient follow up was 8 years. Although ursodesoxycholic acid appears to improve liver biochemistry it does not preclude the rapid occurrence of extensive fibrosis. A review of the literature of reported cases of ductopenia related to sarcoidosis is provided.

A woman with recent jaundice and pruritus

A middle-aged woman suffering from jaundice and pruritus that had begun a month previously was presented to a physician.At the first assessment, laboratory findings had revealed a cholestatic pattern and serologic tests for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) were negative. Normal findings of abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) ruled out extrahepatic causes of cholestasis. A liver biopsy was done and showed intrahepatic cholestasis without destruction of the bile ducts or granuloma.We assessed the intrahepatic causes of cholestasis. Finally the diagnosis was confirmed by means of a simple test.

Lung function abnormalities in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

Twenty-five patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in different stages were investigated with respect to pulmonary function abnormalities. The results were compared with a reference sample of 17 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects. A high prevalence of lung function impairment was found in the PBC patients (14/25 [56%]). Bronchial asthma was present in three patients, and severe lung emphysema in one. These four patients had an abnormal lung function, mainly of obstructive type. There was a statistically significant difference between the remaining 21 PBC patients without chronic obstructive lung disease and the reference subjects with respect to diffusion capacity. Almost all abnormal lung function data were found in the symptomatic PBC patients (i.e. symptoms of pruritus, xanthoma, xanthelasmata, jaundice, hyperpigmentation, hepatosplenomegaly), 13 out of 18 (72%), whereas only one out of seven asymptomatic patients was affected. Nine patients (36%) had reduced diffusion capacity compared with none of the reference subjects. The lung function abnormalities in PBC patients are similar to those found in sarcoidosis, another granulomatous disease.

Gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations of sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease characterized by noncaseating granulomas in the affected organs, including skin, heart, nervous system, and joints. Diagnosis of sarcoidosis is generally based upon a compatible history, demonstration of granulomas in at least two different organs, negative staining and culture for acid fast bacilli, absence of occupational or domestic exposure to toxins, and lack of drug-induced disease. Involvement of the hollow organs is rare. Rather than being due to sarcoidosis, some reported mucosal lesions may simply have incidental granulomas. Extrinsic compression from lymphadenopathy can occur throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The stomach, particularly the antrum, is the most common extrahepatic organ to be involved, while the small bowel is the least common. Liver involvement frequently occurs and ranges from asymptomatic incidental granulomas to portal hypertension from granulomas in the portal triad, usually with relatively preserved liver function. CT scans show hepatosplenomegaly and adenopathy, followed in frequency by focal low-attenuation lesions of the liver and spleen. Ascites is usually a transudate from right heart failure (because of pulmonary hypertension) or portal hypertension (because of biliary cirrhosis). Rarely, an exudative ascites may occur from studding of the peritoneum with nodules. Pancreatic involvement presents as a mass, usually in the head or a diffusely firm, nodular organ. Corticosteroids should be instituted when organ function is threatened, usually lungs, eyes, and central nervous system. Their role in the treatment of hepatic sarcoidosis is unclear. The overall prognosis is good although most patients will have some permanent organ impairment. Cardiac and pulmonary diseases are the main causes of death.

Hepatic, ocular, and cutaneous sarcoidosis

Sarcoid affecting the skin, eye, or liver can be symptomatic of or cause significant morbidity. When disease is sever, alternative therapies may be needed.

Cutaneous sarcoidosis and primary biliary cirrhosis: A chance association or related diseases?

Sarcoidosis and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are thought to be two distinct disorders of unknown origin. However, both are characterized by hepatic granuloma formation and may also manifest cutaneous granulomatous inflammation. In this report, we describe two cases of cutaneous sarcoidosis occurring in the setting of PBC and review 7 additional cases from the literature of granulomatous skin disease associated with PBC. Although the pathogenesis of both sarcoidosis and PBC remains elusive, the simultaneous occurrence of these uncommon diseases suggests a common pathway may contribute to granuloma formation in both disorders.

The involvement of the liver in systemic diseases

The liver has a double blood supply and plays a central role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and many medications. In addition, it has a role in the induction of immune tolerance and may also be a target for immune-mediated damage. For these reasons, the liver may be involved in many systemic diseases. In this review, we discuss the involvement of the liver in granulomatous, rheumatologic, malignant, and circulatory diseases. An understanding of the wide spectrum of liver involvement in systemic diseases will aid in both diagnosis and treatment of patients with a wide range of medical conditions.

Splenic focal lesions as manifestation of sarcoidosis: Characterization with contrast-enhanced sonography

We report the case of a 74-year-old woman with elevated liver enzyme levels in whom abdominal sonographic examination revealed a diffusely heterogeneous liver parenchyma and multiple hypoechoic subcentimetric splenic nodules. Contrast-enhanced sonography (CEUS) revealed that the splenic focal lesions did not enhance. CT examination revealed a low-density, multinodular pattern both in the liver and in the spleen. Core biopsy of 1 hepatic nodule revealed noncaseating epithelioid cell granuloma, and the patient was diagnosed with systemic sarcoidosis. CEUS has shown to be useful in the diagnosis of focal hepatic lesions, but studies referring to splenic lesions are lacking.

Natural history of hepatic sarcoidosis and its response to treatment

BACKGROUND

Liver involvement in sarcoidosis is variable and can occur in the absence of pulmonary disease. Data on the natural history of hepatic sarcoid and response to therapy are lacking. This study investigates hepatic dysfunction complicating lung disease and significant liver involvement presenting independent of pulmonary sarcoid.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and eighty patients were included in the study. The minimum follow-up was 2 years.

RESULTS

Fifty per cent of the study population had derangement of liver function attributable to hepatic sarcoid. Twenty-three patients (13%) had liver involvement without lung disease. Sixty-three patients were administered corticosteroids; approximately one-third had a complete clinical response, one-third a partial response and one-third showed no response. Fourteen patients (8%) were cirrhotic at presentation, and two progressed to cirrhosis despite steroid therapy. Sixteen patients received a second-line immunosuppressive agent; one-half of these showed a response to treatment augmentation (four patients azathioprine, three patients methotrexate, one patient both drugs). Six patients required liver transplantation, with disease recurrence in one recipient. In four patients, sarcoid as the aetiology of end-stage liver disease was diagnosed only on examination of the explanted liver.

CONCLUSION

Sarcoidosis can cause end-stage chronic liver disease, which is often unrecognized until examination of the explanted liver. Response to conventional immunosuppression is variable and unpredictable. Transplantation is feasible and safe in this population but recurrence is possible.

Clinical manifestations of sarcoid liver disease

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that involves many organs and has different clinical manifestation. We reviewed the clinical manifestations of sarcoid liver disease. Liver involvement in sarcoidosis can be serious and life-threatening, independent of its lung and other organ involvement.

Exacerbation of pulmonary sarcoidosis after liver transplantation

Patients with hepatic sarcoidosis rarely require orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Progression of granulomatous activity involving other organs after OLT has rarely been described. We describe a 32-year-old woman who underwent liver transplantation for sarcoidosis-associated end-stage liver disease. She presented 4 years later with shortness of breath, hilar lymphadenopathy, and interstitial lung abnormalities. Liver functions were normal. Open lung biopsy results revealed granulomata compatible with sarcoidosis. The patient made a complete recovery after corticosteroid treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is a first description of severe exacerbation of pulmonary sarcoidosis in an immunosuppressed patient who underwent liver transplantation for sarcoidosis-associated liver disease.

Hepatic sarcoidosis with vanishing bile duct syndrome, cirrhosis, and portal phlebosclerosis. Report of an autopsy case

A few cases of sarcoidosis are associated with progressive liver disease, with a wide variety of clinicopathologic features. Herein, we report an autopsy case (65-year-old man). During an examination for liver dysfunction, cirrhosis with cholestatic dysfunction and splenomegaly were found. Needle liver biopsy revealed cirrhosis with lymphocytic piecemeal necrosis, dense septal fibrosis, and ductopenia. In addition, noncaseating epithelioid granuloma was also seen in the periportal region. Ductal enzymes and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels were elevated, although antimitochondrial antibodies were negative. Instead, angiotensin-converting enzyme was elevated. He died of pulmonary failure and lung cancer. The autopsy liver (1,220 g) showed multinodular cirrhosis with broad and dense septa that divided the parenchyma. Mild lymphoid cell infiltration was seen in the periportal region. About a half of the interlobular bile ducts were lost, and the remaining bile ducts showed prominent periductal fibrosis, resembling sclerosing cholangitis. Interestingly, a few interlobular bile ducts showed chronic nonsuppurative cholangitis with epithelioid granulomas. Intrahepatic portal veins showed luminal narrowing with prominent phlebosclerosis. Hepatobiliary pathologies that resemble primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis and that are followed by vanishing bile duct syndrome, chronic active hepatitis-related cirrhosis, and intrahepatic portal venous phlebosclerosis occur in a single case of sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis, sclerosing cholangitis, and chronic atrophic autoimmune gastritis: a case of infiltrative sclerosing cholangitis

We report a patient in whom sarcoidosis coexisted with sclerosing cholangitis and chronic atrophic autoimmune gastritis. There are some autoimmune diseases associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis; the difference between sarcoidosis and all other autoimmune diseases associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis is the ability of the former to damage the biliary tree. Moreover, when sarcoidosis behaves like cholestasis it can damage the biliary tree, mimicking primary sclerosing cholangitis, with high immunoglobulin M but without inflammatory bowel disease and p-ANCAs negative. We believe that it should be regarded as a single disease "infiltrative sclerosing cholangitis" because this is not a primary disease and sarcoidosis would be responsible for a beaded biliary tree.

Sarcoidosis of the liver and bile ducts

In sarcoidosis, granulomas are frequently present in multiple organs, including the liver. Typically, epithelioid granulomas (noncaseating) are scattered throughout the liver, but confluent granulomas can be present in cases with severe hepatic involvement. The characteristic inclusions in giant cells (for example, Schaumann bodies and asteroid bodies) are not seen in all cases and are not pathognomonic. The granulomas of sarcoidosis may heal without a trace, but confluent granulomas can result in extensive, irregular scarring. Occlusion of intrahepatic portal vein branches by the granulomatous inflammation probably accounts for the development of portal hypertension in some cases. A granulomatous cholangitis leading to ductopenia seems to be the underlying pathogenetic mechanism of the chronic cholestatic syndrome of sarcoidosis. Recognition of this syndrome is important in the differential diagnosis of other chronic cholestatic diseases, such as primary biliary cirrhosis or primary sclerosing cholangitis. Other rare complications of sarcoidosis are the Budd-Chiari syndrome and obstructive jaundice attributable to hepatic hilar lymphadenopathy or strictures of the bile ducts.

Overview of chronic cholestatic conditions in adults: terminology and definitions

The cholangiopathies represent diseases and syndromes affecting the biliary system at any site between the canals of Hering and the ampulla of Vater. Hepato-canalicular cholestasis reflects biliary secretory failure of the hepatocyte caused by disturbances of intracellular organelles or damage to the bile canalicular excretory functions. Drug reactions are related especially to antibiotics, phenothiazine derivates and carbamazepine. Immune-mediated cholangiopathies cause destruction and reduction of interlobular bile ducts, and are sometimes called vanishing bile duct diseases. They include primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune cholangitis, chronic hepatic allograft rejection, graft-versus-host disease and chronic cholestatic sarcoidosis. Ischemic (vascular) cholangiopathies include traumatic, hepatic arteritis and mechanical causes. Infectious cholangiopathies usually are associated with the immunosuppressed patient.

Pathology of sarcoidosis

This article reviews the pathology of sarcoidosis that covers the general and systemic aspects of the disease. Macroscopic and microscopic descriptions of the disease process are given for selected organs.

Diffuse intrahepatic biliary strictures in sarcoidosis resembling sclerosing cholangitis. Case report and review of the literature

We report a case of sarcoidosis with severe cholestasis and cholangiographic features of sclerosing cholangitis that responded dramatically to corticosteroid therapy. Although an association between sarcoidosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis has been suggested by previous reports, features suggestive of primary sclerosing cholangitis, including inflammatory bowel disease, hepatic histology and serum neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, were absent in this case. Cholangiography may be useful in the evaluation of patients with cholestatic sarcoid liver disease, and intrahepatic biliary strictures should be included in the spectrum of hepatic involvement by sarcoidosis. A trial of corticosteroid therapy may be of benefit in patients with bile ductal involvement by sarcoidosis.

Granulomas in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Granulomas in liver biopsy specimens from adult patients with chronic ductopenic cholestatic liver disease are a characteristic feature of primary biliary cirrhosis. However, we found a similar combination of abnormalities in 7 out of 100 native livers (7%) from patients who had orthotopic liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis. In a control group of native livers from 100 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, the prevalence of granulomas was exactly the same, 7%. In the primary sclerosing cholangitis group, 13 addition livers showed a granulomatous epithelioid cell response, with or without foreign body type giant cells, to extravasated bile. All granulomas were noncaseating and non-necrotizing; they consisted of epithelioid cells and often contained giant cells. Perigranulomatous lymphocytic infiltrates were generally mild to moderate. The granulomas involved portal tracts, scars, and hepatic parenchyma. Biopsy experience revealed that granulomas can be found in all stages of the disease. In contradistinction to the granulomas in primary biliary cirrhosis, the granulomas in primary sclerosing cholangitis did not represent granulomatous cholangitis--that is, they were not a feature of the duct destruction. The etiology of these lesions is not clear, but in some cases we found strong morphologic evidence that granulomas may form as a response to the leakage of bile or bile components. No evidence of infection or of sarcoidosis was found. Although adverse drug responses cannot be ruled out with certainty, review of the clinical histories made that mechanism unlikely. Thus, the presence of granulomas in chronic ductopenic cholestatic liver disease is not pathognomonic for primary biliary cirrhosis and, in rare instances (on average, in 3-4% of the biopsy samples), may be a feature of primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Sarcoidosis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Coexistence in a single patient

An unusual case of a woman with primary biliary cirrhosis and cutaneous sarcoidosis is described. The factors that allow a specific diagnosis of each condition are presented and the literature pertaining to such complex and unusual cases is presented.

Sarcoidosis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Literature review and illustrative case

An illustrative case of a middle-aged woman with primary biliary cirrhosis and the onset of liver disease coincident with acute, self-limited sarcoidosis is presented. The distinctive characteristics of sarcoidosis and primary biliary cirrhosis are described, and the literature regarding a number of potential relationships between these two disorders is summarized. First, the simultaneous occurrence of primary biliary cirrhosis and sarcoidosis has been documented in a few patients. Second, some of these patients had an overlap syndrome characterized by features of both disorders, inviting speculation regarding a common pathogenesis. Third, in patients with sarcoidosis, advanced cholestatic sarcoid liver disease may develop, which may cause diagnostic confusion with primary biliary cirrhosis. Finally, patients with primary biliary cirrhosis may have pulmonary fibrosis as an associated disease.

Chronic cholestasis in hepatic sarcoidosis with clinical features resembling primary biliary cirrhosis. Report of two cases

Two cases of sarcoidosis with predominantly hepatic involvement are reported, both with the gradual development of progressive jaundice and other clinical features of primary biliary cirrhosis without immunologic or morphologic evidence of that disease. The autopsy findings in one case are described.