Hemophagocytic syndrome associated with fatal veno-occlusive disease in the liver

Abstract

A 47-year-old man presented with hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) without any obvious underlying diseases. On computed tomography, his liver was occupied by multiple ill-defined low intensity lesions. Liver biopsy revealed diffuse infiltration of numerous histiocytes without cytologic atypism and prominent fibrotic changes. These histiocyes showed S100(+), CD68(+), CD1a(-), and lysozyme(+) and Langerhans cell granules were not observed by electron microscopic examination. He failed to respond to immunosuppressive and chemotherapeutic treatments and progressed to severe liver failure. At autopsy, his liver exhibited veno-occulusive disease (VOD). Since VOD is regafded as a rare complication of HPS, the presence of VOD associated with HPS may be easily overlooked. © 2007 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.