First case of fatal pulmonary peliosis without any other organ involvement in a young testosterone abusing male

Abstract

Peliosis is a rare lesion characterized by the presence of blood-filled cysts, with unknown true incidence and etiology. It has been most frequently reported to the liver (peliosis hepatis) and to other organs of the mononuclear phagocytic system, such as spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes. However, other organs may also be affected. Its occurrence has been linked to wasting conditions such as tuberculosis, cancer, immunosuppression and the use of androgenic-anabolic steroids. Herein, we report a case of pulmonary peliosis, in a 29-year-old man who was abusing testosterone as it was proved by toxicological analysis. To our knowledge this is the third reported case of pulmonary peliosis and the first one that is not associated with peliosis of any other organ.