A case of intra-abdominal hemorrhage secondary to peliosis hepatis.

INTRODUCTION: peliosis hepatis (PH) is a rare vascular condition of the liver characterized by the presence of cystic blood filled cavities distributed randomly throughout the liver parenchyma Tsokos and co-workers [1-6]. Peliosis is most commonly found in the liver but can also involve the spleen, bone marrow, lungs, and abdominal lymph nodes Tsokos and Erbersdobler [1].

PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of peliosis hepatis diagnosed post laparotomy. She required a re-look laparotomy with removal of packs peritoneal lavage, placement of intraseed and subhepatic drain. The patient was discharged after an 11-day recovery period.

CONCLUSION: We examine the literature and subsequently discuss the etiology and management of peliosis. Peliosis is a rare vascular condition of the liver characterized by the presence of cystic blood filled cavities. Causes are associated with a number of conditions, however, etiology is largely unknown. Management is overwhelmingly conservative except in a handful of cases.