title: Stellate-cell lipidosis in liver biopsy specimens. Recognition and significance.
abstract: Hepatic stellate-cell lipidosis due to hypervitaminosis A can lead to cirrhosis, which can be averted by restricting vitamin A intake. Other causes, including the use of synthetic retinoids, have been postulated. We studied the frequency and etiology of stellate-cell lipidosis in patients undergoing liver biopsy for reasons other than vitamin A abuse. Fourteen cases (1.1%) were identified retrospectively among 1,235 nontransplant liver biopsy specimens examined from January 1995 through December 1999. Diagnostic criteria included the following: lipid-laden cells in the space of Disse; small, dark, crescent-shaped nuclei with inconspicuous nucleoli; and wispy cytoplasmic strands separating fat droplets. Patient details, reason for biopsy, and medication use were studied. Reasons for biopsy included hepatitis C (10 cases), abnormal liver enzyme levels (2 cases), methotrexate use (1 case), and alcohol abuse (1 case). Hypervitaminosis A was not suspected clinically in the 5 patients who used oral vitamin A or 3 who used topical tretinoin (Retin-A). In 6 patients, no cause of stellate-cell lipidosis was discerned. Stellate-cell lipidosis should be reported to alert clinicians to a potentially preventable form of liver injury.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Pathology, NYU Medical Center, TH-461, 560, First Ave, New York, NY 10016-6497, USA.
authors.forename: Pascale Hummel
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Yara
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: Neil D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Theise
authors.forename: A Brian
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: West
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies