Occlusion of small hepatic veins associated with systemic lupus erythematosus with the lupus anticoagulant and anti-cardiolipin antibody.

We report the case of a woman with lupus anticoagulant-positive systemic lupus erythematosus who developed small hepatic vein occlusion. Since the age of 34, she had been known to have hepatomegaly. A definitive diagnosis of systematic lupus erythematosus was made eight years later. Histological evaluation of the liver biopsy specimen was not fully diagnostic of prominent hepatomegaly during this period. Occlusion of the small hepatic veins was confirmed by hepatic venography, but the lumen of the large hepatic veins showed a smooth appearance. The lupus anticoagulant and anti-cardiolipin antibody were both positive. Since a high incidence of thromboembolic diseases in patients with the lupus anticoagulant or anti-cardiolipin antibody has been reported, the presence of this type of anticoagulant may provide an explanation for hypercoagulability and subsequent development of hepatic vein thrombosis in this patient. This is the first report of a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who developed an occlusion of small hepatic veins attributable to the lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody. This case suggested that a systematic search for hepatic vein occlusion should be made in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who have developed inexplicable hepatomegaly, especially in those with positive tests for the lupus anticoagulant and/or anti-cardiolipin antibody.