Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease, which most commonly affects the lungs and lymph nodes and is characterized with non-caseating granulomas. Hepatic involvement in sarcoidosis occurs in less than 1% of patients. Most patients with hepatic sarcoidosis remain asymptomatic with only laboratory abnormalities. We present the case of a 59-year-old man with sarcoidosis who was evaluated for an elevation of alkaline phosphatase. Laboratory test results revealed an alkaline phosphatase level of 230 U/L, with normal alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, and albumin. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis with intravenous contrast of the liver showed a mildly enlarged liver. Liver biopsy sections showed steatosis, active steatohepatitis, and focal portal granuloma formation with asteroid body. The patient was scheduled regular liver function tests and clinical monitoring. Most patients with hepatic sarcoidosis remain asymptomatic with only laboratory abnormalities such as elevation of liver enzymes and alkaline phosphatase. Although liver involvement is common in gastrointestinal sarcoidosis, progression to liver cirrhosis is rare in such patients. While symptomatic patients may be managed with systematic prednisone, asymptomatic patients may require only laboratory and clinical monitoring.
Keywords: asteroid bodies; autoimmune disorder; elevated alkaline phosphatase; liver granuloma; sarcoidosis.
Copyright © 2021, Muhanna et al.