An elderly man with syncytial giant cell hepatitis successfully treated by immunosuppressants

Abstract

Here, we report an elderly man with acute-on-chronic hepatitis accompanied by massive ascites. He showed elevated serum transaminase and anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) levels. Liver biopsy showed diffuse multinucleated giant hepatocytes with interface hepatitis, and he recovered with administration of azathioprine in addition to corticosteroids. Follow-up liver biopsy after recovery showed improvement of hepatic inflammation and reduction of giant hepatocyte formation. The patient is receiving low-dose orticosteroid maintenance therapy and he has remained healthy for 8 years to date. Active immunosuppressive treatment may be beneficial in patients with adult syncitial giant cell hepatitis (AGCH). © 2012 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.