May hepatic granulomas be part of the histological spectrum of chronic hepatitis C?

December 29, 2008

While older large series of patients with hepatic granulomas have found sarcoidosis and tuberculosis to be the most common causes of hepatic granulomas, recent works have noted some patients with chronic hepatic C and hepatic granulomas and no other obvious associations. Today, patients that undergo liver biopsy often have chronic hepatitis C that is being staged prior to possible anti viral therapy. The age of HIV and immunosuppression for organ transplants has also made opportunistic infections associated with hepatic granulomas more likely.

A research article to be published on November 7, 2008 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses this question. The research team led by Ned Snyder from the University of Texas medical branch report a retrospective study of over 4 000 liver biopsies as well as a prospective study of 240 patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing routine liver biopsies. They found that the most common association for hepatic granulomas was chronic hepatitis C. In the prospective study of patients with stable hepatitis C, almost 1% had hepatic granulomas.

In this paper, no reason for the association between granulomas and hepatitis C was found unless granuloma formation is part of the immune response to chronic hepatitis C. Hepatic granulomas have been associated with interferon therapy for hepatitis C and other disorders, but only one patient in the study had received interferon. Granulomas sometimes can develop in intravenous drug users from talc in the injection solution, but examination of the biopsies with polarized light revealed only one patient with crystalloid particles.

The authors concluded that granulomas are an uncommon part of the histologic spectrum of chronic hepatitis C. When granulomas are found in the liver of a patient with chronic hepatitis C, the clinician should be comfortable with the association after other pertinent diseases are excluded.

A reviewer felt this paper is a very good retrospective examination of characteristics associated with hepatogranulomas, with the added strength of the prospective surveillance.

World Journal of Gastroenterology

Poststapedectomy reparative granuloma.(OTOSCOPIC CLINIC): An article from: Ear, Nose and Throat Journal
by Willis S.S. Tsang (Author), John K.S. Woo (Author), Michael C.F. Tong (Author)

This digital document is an article from Ear, Nose and Throat Journal, published by Thomson Gale on September 1, 2006. The length of the article is 428 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Poststapedectomy reparative granuloma.(OTOSCOPIC CLINIC)
Author: Willis S.S. Tsang
Publication: Ear, Nose and Throat Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 85 Issue: 9 Page: 562(1)

Distributed by Thomson...

Granuloma: Webster's Timeline History, 2007
by Icon Group International (Author)

Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Granuloma," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Granuloma in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Granuloma when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social sciences...

Granuloma: Webster's Timeline History, 1888 - 2006
by Icon Group International (Author)

Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Granuloma," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Granuloma in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Granuloma when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social sciences...

Eosinophilic Granuloma: Webster's Timeline History, 1949 - 2007
by Icon Group International (Author)

Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Eosinophilic Granuloma," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Eosinophilic Granuloma in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Eosinophilic Granuloma when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop...

Pathology of granulomas
by Raven Press (Publisher)

Pyogenic Granuloma (Dermatology)

Pyogenic granuloma gives you the facts about this dermatological condition.

Topics covered include:
What is pyogenic granuloma?
What causes pyogenic granuloma?
What are the physical findings on examination of a pyogenic granuloma
How is the diagnosis of a pyogenic granuloma made?
What are the differential diagnosis of pyogenic granuloma?
What is the treatment for pyogenic granuloma?

Granulomas and Neoplasms of the Larynx
by I. Friedmann (Author), A. Ferlito (Author)

This work describes the pathological features and their application in the diagnosis of the granulomatous and neoplastic diseases of the larynx. The contents cover the anatomy, histology and methods of examination.

Management of chancroid, granuloma inguinale, lymphogranuloma venereum in general practice, (Public Health Service publication)
by Robert B Greenblatt (Author)

How I Healed My Dog's Lick Granuloma
by Linda J. Johnson

Many dogs have problems with Lick Granulomas. We didn’t know such a thing existed until we adopted Riley. Lick Granulomas are leasions that are created by continued licking in a single area. This is a difficult proplem to resolve. Our dog, Riley, is young Border Collie, who tenaciously licked his rear leg. This is the story about Riley and our ordeal as we helped him finally heal his lick granuloma. This was truly one of the most trying and expensive experiences we've had with a pet. Riley is an escape artist that is filled with energy! He has a busy tongue. He became obsessed with licking this one area on his leg. We tried everything from the "cone of shame" to cold laser treatments. At our wits end, we accidently found a final solution that is simple, natura, painlessl and...

21st Century Pediatric Cancer Sourcebook: Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) - Histiocytosis X, Eosinophilic Granuloma, Abt-Letterer-Siwe, Hand-Schuller-Christian, Diffuse Reticuloendotheliosis
by Progressive Management

Authoritative information and practical advice from the nation's cancer experts about Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) - Histiocytosis X, Eosinophilic Granuloma, Abt-Letterer-Siwe, Hand-Schuller-Christian, Diffuse Reticuloendotheliosis. Related conditions discussed include Erdheim-Chester disease, juvenile xanthogranuloma, Rosai-Dorfman Disease, hemophaocytic lymphohistiocytosis, histiocytic sarcoma, monocytic leukemia, and myleomonocytic leukemia. Starting with the basics, and advancing to detailed patient-oriented and physician-quality information, this comprehensive compilation gives empowered patients, families, caregivers, nurses, and physicians the information they need to understand the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. In addition to disease-specific information, this...