Introduction: Peliosis is an infrequent entity characterized by multiple blood-filled cavities mostly involving the liver. Peliosis hepatis usually appears as a rare autopsy finding in asymptomatic patients or in patients with chronic wasting diseases. However, peliosis hepatis may present as hepatic dysfunction or shock from hepatic rupture.
Material and methods: In our report we present the case of a 33-year-old woman with hepatic peliosis causing a hemoperitoneum resulting from liver rupture, which needed immediate surgical treatment. On the basis of symptoms and the laboratory parameters the acute abdomen was evaluated by abdominal ultrasound and CT scan, both revealing a hemoperitoneum and a lesion in the left liver lobe.
Results: Embolization was performed by superselective catheterization of the left hepatic artery to stop the bleeding. After stabilization of the patient, left lobectomy of the liver was performed because of the ruptured 15-cm liver tumor. The patient recovered well and was discharged without residual complaints. Histopathologic analysis showed focal parenchymal peliosis.
Discussion: The authors evaluate the effectiveness of the surgical strategy in a case of life-threatening focal hepatic disorder. Besides surgery, the authors emphasize the importance of invasive radiological interventions in these cases.