Granulomatous hepatitis.
According to the literature on the subject, hepatic granulomas are present in 2.4%-10% of the liver tissue specimens examined in general hospitals. The pathogenesis and pathological importance of these lesions remain unclear in many cases. Hepatic granulomas have been associated with a wide variety of diseases, among which sarcoidosis, followed by tuberculosis, figure most prominently. The etiology remains undetermined in less than or equal to 36% of reported cases. In some instances the lesions are found by chance, and in other cases they are associated with a prolonged course of fever of undetermined origin, which may or may not resolve spontaneously. In the present article, the histopathogenesis and appearance of these lesions are described; the associated diseases are reviewed with detailed emphasis on the clinical manifestations, pathology, and diagnosis of those diseases most commonly responsible for the lesions; and, finally, some comments are offered on the diagnostic work-up and controversial management of undiagnosed cases.
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000209:etiology; D006099:Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000150:complications; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000150:complications; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000150:complications; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications