Sarcoidosis with hepatic involvement: a case report

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a systemic, noncaseating granulomatous disease with an unknown etiology. The liver is one of the most frequently affected organs. This case is presented to emphasize that hepatic granulomatous foci can lead to a determination of etiology in a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. A 53-year-old-female patient with complaints of fatigue and abdominal pain was admitted to the clinic of gastroenterology. The blood levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were markedly increased. The autoimmune parameters were negative. A Tru-Cut biopsy (Becton, Dickinson and Co., Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) of the liver was performed based on the initial diagnoses of tuberculosis, lymphoma, and sarcoidosis. Histopathological evaluation revealed noncaseating granulomatous inflammation with Grade 3 macrovesicular steatosis. An investigation for hepatic sarcoidosis was recommended. The angiotensin-converting enzyme levels were 5 times higher than normal. Based on this result, the diagnosis was sarcoidosis with hepatic involvement. The treatment and follow-up of the patient continues.