Abstract
Peliosis hepatis is a benign vascular condition of the liver. This condition is characterized by the presence of cystic blood-filled cavities throughout the liver parenchyma. It sometimes progresses to be fatal. Because lesions appear as nonspecific hepatic masses on imaging studies, the correct diagnosis can be difficult. We report a case of a 74-year-old man with multiple hepatic tumors, which were found at a medical check-up. Laparoscopic liver biopsy was performed to ensure the preoperative diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. On laparoscopy, multiple purplish areas were found at the surface of the liver. Each of these areas was soft and flat. A biopsy specimen obtained from the lesion that was partially resected on S5 showed evidence of peliosis hepatis. His postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged from our hospital. The patient died from rupture of peliosis hepatis, 10 months after discharge. Even though biopsy of a peliotic lesion carries the risk of bleeding because of the vascular nature of peliosis hepatis, laparoscopic liver biopsy is a useful and safe tool in diagnosing peliosis hepatis.
