The clinical spectrum of hepatic granuloma.
Hepatic granulomas diagnosed ante mortem by liver biopsy over a 9-year period at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, were reviewed. A diagnosis was made in 94% of the 116 cases studied. Tuberculosis was found to be the cause in 50% of all cases. In Black patients tuberculosis accounted for 83%. Lymphoma was a major cause in White patients, in whom it accounted for 28%. The clinical, haematological, biochemical and radiological features favouring each diagnostic category are described. The importance of follow-up and in some cases repeat biopsy is stressed.
D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D011859:Radiography