Acute liver failure as the sole manifestation of relapsing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Abstract

Acute liver failure due to hepatic involvement by haematological malignancies is very rare, and usually has a rapidly fatal prognosis. We describe the case of a man who was treated for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and achieved a complete remission after eight courses of chemotherapy. He then presented with acute liver failure. Transjugular liver biopsy revealed massive infiltration by lymphomatous cells, with extensive necrosis. A CT scan did not show any evidence of extrahepatic lymphoma. The patient recovered from the liver failure following combined immuno-chemotherapy. Recurrence of the disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with haematological malignancies and acute liver failure, even without evidence of extrahepatic involvement.