DISSEMINATED KAPOSI-SARCOMA WITH HEPATOSP LENIC INVOLVEMENT IN AIDS

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is the most frequent neoplasm found in AIDS patien ts. The disease is often disseminated and preferentially involves the skin and the lymphatic and digestive systems. Hepatosplenic involvemen t which is considered as a frequent autopsy finding is rarely diagnose d at life, A 27-year-old male HIV positive patient with severe immunos uppression who developed a rapidly progressive laterocervical cutaneou s KS confirmed by pathologic study is presented, abdominal echography and thoracoabdominal CT scand demonstrated lesions highly suggestive o f pulmonary, lymph node, hepatic, splenic and rectal involvement by KS , The administration of 2 chemotherapy cycles produced subjective impr ovement and remission of the cutaneous lesions. Severe pulmonary super infection led to death, An autopsy study was not performed. Hepatosple nic involvement by KS, diagnosed while the patient is alive is rare, T he imaging techniques are useful to diagnose with high probability vis ceral involvement of KS. Systemic searching for visceral involvement i n KS patients would lead to a marked increase in the cases such as tha t herein described with evident therapeutic and prognostic implication s.