C Barth1, A Bosse, T Andus. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Oncology, Hospital Bad Cannstatt, Klinikum Stuttgart, Germany. c.barth@kbc-intern.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Plasma cell infiltration of the liver can be detected in 25 to 40% of patients with multiple myeloma. However, there are only rare cases of multiple myeloma clinically presenting as acute liver disease. CASE REPORT: We report an 88-year-old woman with painless jaundice and abnormal liver function tests, resembling acute cholestatic hepatitis. Viral hepatitis as well as autoimmune hepatitis could be excluded. Liver biopsy revealed a diffuse portal and sinusoidal infiltration of plasma cells with lambda light chain restriction. Serological immune fixation disclosed monoclonal gammopathy of IgG lambda with bone marrow infiltration of 25% plasma cells. After administration of 60 mg prednisolone per day, the elevated liver enzymes declined considerably. CONCLUSION: Hepatic plasma cell infiltration of multiple myeloma can, in rare cases, manifest as acute cholestatic hepatitis, which may respond to treatment with corticosteroids.
BACKGROUND: Plasma cell infiltration of the liver can be detected in 25 to 40% of patients with multiple myeloma. However, there are only rare cases of multiple myeloma clinically presenting as acute liver disease. CASE REPORT: We report an 88-year-old woman with painless jaundice and abnormal liver function tests, resembling acute cholestatic hepatitis. Viral hepatitis as well as autoimmune hepatitis could be excluded. Liver biopsy revealed a diffuse portal and sinusoidal infiltration of plasma cells with lambda light chain restriction. Serological immune fixation disclosed monoclonal gammopathy of IgG lambda with bone marrow infiltration of 25% plasma cells. After administration of 60 mg prednisolone per day, the elevated liver enzymes declined considerably. CONCLUSION: Hepatic plasma cell infiltration of multiple myeloma can, in rare cases, manifest as acute cholestatic hepatitis, which may respond to treatment with corticosteroids.