Post-infantile giant cell hepatitis in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis

In post-infancy, multinucleated giant cell hepatitis is rare. Various conditions and diseases associated with post-infantile giant cell hepatitis have been described, but the pathogenesis remains unknown. In this paper we review the case reports of four patients (3 male, 1 female; aged 22 to 32 years) with primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis. The follow-up ranges from five to seven years. All patients showed cholestasis and repeated elevation of hepatic transaminases. Patients with viral infections, metabolic disorders and toxic influences were excluded. Histopathology of liver tissue in all four patients revealed giant cell formation with up to 20 nuclei in 20-70% of all hepatocytes. Post-infantile giant cell hepatitis was defined histopathologically. The clinical course of all four patients markedly improved after immunosuppressive treatment. Further improvement was observed with the addition of ursodeoxycholic acid. Follow-up liver biopsies during treatment showed reduced inflammation and a decreased number of giant cells. One patient, who initially was admitted to the hospital with liver cirrhosis died five years later due to a sepsis. The clinical course of the other three patients remained stable during the observation period, and no progression of liver fibrosis was recorded as long as immunosuppressive treatment was continued. Cholestasis and autoimmunity seem to be two important mechanisms triggering hepatic giant cell formation in post-infancy. In the reported cases long-lasting cholestasis in primary sclerosing cholangitis together with features of autoimmune hepatitis seem to have triggered the formation of syncytial hepatic giant cells.