Peliosis hepatis. Twelve cases associated with oral androgen therapy.

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1977 Aug;101(8):405-10.

Peliosis hepatis. Twelve cases associated with oral androgen therapy.

Nadell J, Kosek J.

Peliosis hepatis was encountered in 12 patients treated with high-dose
oxymetholone or fluoxymesterone therapy. In three cases liver failure was the
primary cause of death. In one case, the diagnosis was established by biopsy, the
androgen therapy was discontinued, and the lesion was absent at autopsy two years
later. In eight cases peliosis hepatis was an incidental finding at postmortem
examination. The clinical and anatomic features of these cases are described, and
previously reported cases of peliosis are briefly reviewed. A hypothesis is
offered to explain the association of this peculiar lesion with anabolic androgen
therapy.