Peliosis hepatis, complicating treatment with anabolic steroids

Med Klin. 1975 Oct 3;70(40):1602-7.

[Peliosis hepatis, complicating treatment with anabolic steroids (author's
transl)]

[Article in German]

Kühböck J, Radaszkiewicz T, Walek H.

The clinical and pathological findings of peliosis hepatis are reported,
complicating a long-term treatment with an anabolic steroid in a 19 year old male
patient suffering from chronic aplastic anemia. Following a 15 months course of
oxymetholone (Anapolon) a cholestatic jaundice developed without regression
despite discontinuing the drug. 4 months later the patient expired as a
consequence of his hematologic disease. At autopsy the liver showed a parenchymal
type of peliosis hepatis with multiple blood filled cavities and focal liver cell
necroses. The pathogenesis of this rare condition is discussed by means of
literature demonstrating the hepatotoxic effect of C17-alkylated androgens.