Pj. Klenn et R. Rubin, DISTINCTIVE CASE - HEPATIC-FIBROSIS ASSOCIATED WITH HEREDITARY CYSTINOSIS - A NOVEL FORM OF NONCIRRHOTIC PORTAL-HYPERTENSION, Modern pathology, 7(8), 1994, pp. 879-882
Hepatomegaly is a common feature of hereditary nephropathic cystinosis
but is rarely associated with symptoms of liver disease. Aside from c
ystine crystal deposit within Kupffer cells, the cause of liver enlarg
ement is unknown. We report the case of a patient with nephropathic cy
stinosis who died at the age of 24 yr after multiple renal transplants
. In addition to classical systemic signs of advanced cystinosis, the
patient had evidence of portal hypertension. At autopsy, the liver was
enlarged for body size (1520 g) and very firm. Massive crystal accumu
lation within Kuppfer cells was accompanied by intense sinusoidal depo
sition of collagen types I, III, and IV, with associated hepatocyte at
rophy. There was no inflammation or regenerative nodules. Numerous enl
arged and fat-laden Ito cells were present in association with the col
lagen. This case illustrates a novel form of noncirrhotic portal hyper
tension associated with cystinosis. Analysis of future cases may serve
to highlight the role of Kupffer and Ito cells in the pathogenesis of
hepatic fibrosis.