Primary liver non-Hodgkinʼs lymphoma presenting as fulminant hepatic disease

OBJECTIVE:To report an association between fulminant hepatic disease and primary liver non-Hodgkinʼs lymphoma. PATIENT:A previously healthy 62-year-old man. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Clinical, biochemical and histological parameters during illness and necroscopic pathological findings. RESULTS:The patient presented with fulminant hepatic failure due to primary non-Hodgkinʼs lymphoma of the liver. Chemotherapy could not be administered because of disseminated intravascular coagulation; renal failure and encephalopathy appeared within 48 h. The mode of presentation was suggestive of alcoholic hepatitis. The patient died 7 days after presentation. CONCLUSION:This case report suggests that primary liver non-Hodgkinʼs lymphoma may be added to the list of causes of fulminant hepatocellular insufficiency.