Massive hemorrhage due to esophageal varices as a form of presentation of autoimmune hepatitis
Bujanda, L.; Arriola, J.A.; de Blas, M.; Merino, S.; Gutiérrez-Stampa, M.A.; Arenas, J.I.
Anales de Medicina Interna 17(3): 142-144
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0212-7199 PMID: 10804637 Document Number: 525728
Autoimmune hepatitis is a necro-inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. An acute or fulminant presentation is rare. We report a 18-year-old man presented with acute variceal hemorrhage. The patient was treated with endoscopic sclerotherapy, somatostatin, balloon tamponade and TIPS. The patient died within a week of massive bleeding and hepatic failure. This patient's history strongly suggests that autoimmune hepatitis can be presented as fulminant hemorrhage. The importance of diagnosis and treatment is emphasized to improve prognosis.