Post-infantile giant cell hepatitis secondary to autoimmune hepatitis: A rare case report

Abstract

Giant cell transformation of hepatocytes in adults is a rare histological finding, historically labelled as post infantile giant cell hepatitis (PIGCH). Increasing evidence suggests that it represents a morphological variant of several underlying liver diseases rather than a distinct, nosologically entity. We report a case of a 46-year-old man with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) presenting as diffuse giant cell transformation who achieved remission with prednisolone and azathioprine. This case highlights the importance of recognizing giant cell transformation as a histologic pattern that should prompt a thorough etiologic work-up and consideration of AIH to avoid misdiagnosis. Correct recognition is clinically relevant because it directs clinicians to initiate immunosuppressive therapy early and search for concurrent autoimmune diseases.

Keywords

• autoimmune hepatitis
• giant cell hepatitis
• Immune thrombocytopenic purpura

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