Case Report
Copyright ©2012 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Hepatol. Jul 27, 2012; 4(7): 234-236
Published online Jul 27, 2012. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v4.i7.234
Acute autoimmune hepatitis mimicking metastatic liver disease: A case report
Ibrahim Masoodi, Khalid Alsayari
Ibrahim Masoodi, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Khalid Alsayari, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh 11525, Saudi Arabia
Author contributions: Masoodi I conceptualized the case, wrote the discussion portion and is the main author of the case; Alsayari K helped in the preparation and revision of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Ibrahim Masoodi, MD, DM, FACP, Consultant Gastroenterologist, King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia. ibrahimmasoodi@yahoo.co.in
Telephone: +966-545481266 Fax: +966-27310801
Received: January 11, 2012
Revised: July 3, 2012
Accepted: July 21, 2012
Published online: July 27, 2012
Abstract

We report progressive painless jaundice in a 39 year old female with a suspicion of metastatic liver disease on ultrasound and computed tomography scan of the abdomen. Although the most frequent liver lesions are liver metastasis because of dual blood supply of the liver and the impact of hormones, the index case proved to have acute autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) after liver biopsy was undertaken. AIH, an unresolving inflammation of liver, occurs predominantly among females worldwide. It may present acutely and even fulminant hepatitis has been described. The index case had a dramatic response to steroid treatment with total recovery and complete resolution of liver lesions. She is clinically fine and has been regularly attending our clinic for the last year. To our knowledge from a Medline search, this is the first report where AIH was seen to mimic metastatic liver disease.

Keywords: Metastatic liver disease; Auto immune hepatitis; Jaundice; Liver biopsy