Alcoholic Hepatitis: A Common Disease with Uncommon Presentation

Abstract

Alcoholic liver disease is one of the leading causes of hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatic carcinoma. Alcoholic hepatitis refers to the acute onset of symptomatic hepatitis. We describe a patient who presented with alcoholic hepatitis with direct hyperbilirubinemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and hypertriglyceridemia. All the imaging and laboratory work excluded obstructive causes, and liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Alcoholic hepatitis is a common condition, but some unusual presentations can lead one to think of uncommon pathologies. This case reflects that alcoholic hepatitis can present with high levels of triglycerides as well as a cholestatic pattern with direct hyperbilirubinemia and ALP without an obvious obstruction cause.

Keywords: Alcoholic hepatitis; Hyperbilirubinemia; Hypertriglyceridemia.