A young case of autoimmune hepatitis -The usefulness of laparoscopic examination to have correct diagnosis-

Abstract

A 21-year-old female patient was admitted to Kyorin University Hospital with general fatigue. She had a slight elevation of serum transaminase levels and total gamma globulins, and was positive of antinuclear antibodies. Her clinical characteristics had 16 points of AIH scoring system reported by International autoimmune hepatitis group. Laparoscopic findings showed a gentle undulation and multiple reddish markings at the liver surface. There were interface hepatitis with portal expansion, fibrosis, and lymphocytic infiltration by histological examination. She was treated with corticosteroid (30mg/day prednisolone was given initially, then tapered down the dosage) , and serum transaminase levels were normalized. This case had mild liver dysfunction, but laparoscopic findings were severe. It was concluded that laparoscopic examination was useful to have correct data of diagnosis in this case.