Fulminant hepatic failure caused by adenovirus infection mimicking peliosis hepatitis on abdominal computed tomography images after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Intern Med. 2012;51(4):405-11. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.51.6432. Epub 2012 Feb 15.

Abstract

Disseminated adenovirus disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is lethal in most cases, especially when it develops as fulminant hepatic failure. We encountered a patient who developed fulminant hepatic failure caused by adenovirus infection. She did not show manifestations of graft-versus-host disease and the results of serum tests for viral infection were all negative. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings were consistent with peliosis hepatitis. She died of fulminant hepatic failure, however, and pathological examinations of the liver specimen obtained after her death revealed adenovirus infection. In this report, we review the clinical characteristics and imaging findings of fulminant hepatic failure caused by adenovirus infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenovirus Infections, Human / complications*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Liver / virology
  • Liver Failure, Acute / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / pathology
  • Liver Failure, Acute / virology
  • Middle Aged
  • Peliosis Hepatis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radiography, Abdominal
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Transplantation, Homologous