title: Liver hemangioma and vascular liver diseases in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with benign focal liver lesions and vascular liver diseases, since these have been occasionally reported in SLE patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five consecutive adult patients with SLE and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated. Hepatic and portal vein patency and presence of focal liver lesions were studied by colour-Doppler ultrasound, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance were used to refine the diagnosis, clinical data of SLE patients were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Benign hepatic lesions were common in SLE patients (54% vs 14% controls, P < 0.0001), with hemangioma being the most commonly observed lesion in the two groups. SLE was associated with the presence of single hemangioma [odds ratios (OR) 5.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.91-13.38] and multiple hemangiomas (OR 4.13; 95% CI 1.03-16.55). Multiple hemangiomas were associated with a longer duration of SLE (9.9 ± 6.5 vs 5.5 ± 6.4 years; P = 0.04). Imaging prior to SLE onset was available in 9 patients with SLE and hemangioma, showing absence of lesions in 7/9. The clinical data of our patients suggest that SLE possibly plays a role in the development of hemangioma. In addition, a Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH), and a NRH associated with hepatic hemangioma were observed, both in patients hospitalized for abdominal symptoms, suggesting that vascular liver diseases should be specifically investigated in this population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SLE is associated with 5-fold increased odds of liver hemangiomas, suggesting that these might be considered among the hepatic manifestations of SLE.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Ageing, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors: Annalisa
authors: A
authors: Berzigotti
authors: Marilena
authors: M
authors: Frigato
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Manfredini
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Pierpaoli
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Mulè
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Tiani
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Zappoli
authors: Donatella
authors: D
authors: Magalotti
authors: Nazzarena
authors: N
authors: Malavolta
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Zoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography