title: [A case of alcoholic hepatitis diagnosed by a liver biopsy and successfully treated by corticosteroid therapy].
abstract: A 50-year-old man with a history of alcohol intake exceeding 80 g/day was admitted because of severe liver dysfunction and high fever. A rapid increase of transaminase with remittent high fever was observed several days after admission. Abdominal CT scan demonstrated a 22×20 mm mass in segment 8, highly suggestive of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, because the etiology of the liver dysfunction was still unknown, we performed a liver biopsy on the sixth day. Histological examination of the liver specimen showed marked granulocyte infiltration, Mallory bodies, and hepatocyte ballooning, all consistent with alcoholic hepatitis. We made a final diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis and successfully treated him with corticosteroids. This case suggests that a liver biopsy has diagnostic value in alcoholic hepatitis, especially in cases in which the diagnosis is uncertain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Gastroenterology), Tottori Municipal Hospital. taniguchi.hideaki@gmail.com
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.forename: Koutaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shibagaki
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seshimo
authors.forename: Keita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D006519:Hepatitis, Alcoholic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011239:Prednisolone; D008775:Methylprednisolone