Idiopathic granulomatous hepatitis is a rare medical condition characterized by granulomas in the liver, recurrent fever, myalgia, and fatigue. The condition is not a true hepatitis, and some experts believe it is a variant of sarcoidosis.[1][2]
| Idiopathic granulomatous hepatitis | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Hepatology |
Signs and symptoms
editIdiopathic granulomatous hepatitis is marked by granuloma in the liver and recurrent fevers.[3] Fatigue and weight loss are other common symptoms.[4]
Causes
editGranulomas in the liver often correspond to a systemic illness that the patient had previously been diagnosed with. Liver granulomas, however, could be a symptom of an unidentified systemic illness or they might not have a discernible underlying cause.[3]
Diagnosis
editEstablishing the diagnosis can be difficult because it needs to rule out other conditions that can cause hepatic granulomas, like lymphoma, sarcoidosis, drug allergies, and infections by fungi or mycobacteria.[3]
Treatment
editIdiopathic granulomatous hepatitis is treated with methotrexate along with additional immunosuppressive medications such as vinblastine, cyclophosphamide, and chlorambucil.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Tholey, Danielle (May 3, 2023). "Hepatic and Biliary Disorders". Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ "Hepatic Granulomas". Hepatitis Central. April 10, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c Lee, Yong Hong; Choi, Chang Hyon; Lee, Nam Su; Cheon, Gob Jin; Lee, Jae Sung; Shin, Joong Ho; Woo, Jun Hee (July 31, 1996). "Case Report : Idiopathic Granulomatous Hepatitis Manifested with Fever of Unknown Origin". The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine. 11 (2). Korean Association of Internal Medicine: 161–164. doi:10.3904/kjim.1996.11.2.161. ISSN 1226-3303. PMC 4532012. PMID 8854654.
- ^ a b Knox, Tamsin A. (1995-04-15). "Methotrexate Treatment of Idiopathic Granulomatous Hepatitis". Annals of Internal Medicine. 122 (8): 592–595. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-122-8-199504150-00006. ISSN 0003-4819. PMID 7887553. S2CID 24241373.
Further reading
edit- Penchas, S.; Ligumski, M.; Eliakim, M. (1978). "Idiopathic Granulomatous Hepatitis with a Prolonged Course: Effect of Corticosteroid Therapy". Digestion. 17 (1). S. Karger AG: 46–55. doi:10.1159/000198093. ISSN 0012-2823. PMID 203507.
- Paone, Gaetano; Perriard-Noetzold, Ulrike; Giovanella, Luca (2016). "A rare case of idiopathic granulomatous hepatitis presenting as tumoral lesion detected by 18F-FDG-PET/CT". Annals of Hepatology. 15 (1). Elsevier BV: 121–122. doi:10.5604/16652681.1184286. ISSN 1665-2681. PMID 26626647.