P2909 - Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemic Hepatic Infiltration Producing a “Cirrhotomimetic” Liver With Portal Hypertension

Brianna Shinn, MD¹, Jonathan M. Fenkel, MD¹, Ubaldo Martinez-Outschoorn, MD², David Sass, MD^1
1Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA; ²Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Phiadelphia, PA

Introduction: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the presence of circulating leukemic cells in the peripheral blood that can infiltrate organs, particularly those of the reticuloendothelial system. While abnormal liver function tests are commonly seen in CLL, significant hepatic infiltration with leukemic cells leading to portal hypertension, splenomegaly and ascites, is rare.

Case Description/Methods: A 65 year-old man with a history of CLL presented to the hepatology clinic with new onset ascites. He was diagnosed with CLL seven years prior, underwent treatment and achieved remission. Six years later he relapsed and started chemotherapy. Shortly thereafter he developed abdominal distension and an MRI abdomen showed heterogeneous hepatic parenchyma with surface nodularity concerning for cirrhosis, large volume ascites and splenomegaly.

Laboratory values were normal aside from an elevated alkaline phosphatase of 213 IU/L (normal range 25-120 IU/L). Viral, autoimmune and genetic liver disease serologies were negative. Doppler ultrasound noted increased liver echogenicity and a nodular surface with patent portal and hepatic veins. An echocardiogram demonstrated normal cardiac function.

A paracentesis revealed a high serum ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) of 1.3 and a protein of 2.0 g/dL consistent with intrahepatic portal hypertension. A subsequent transjugular liver biopsy revealed a hepatic venous pressure gradient of 10mmHg consistent with portal hypertension and histology demonstrated hepatic CLL infiltrates (Figure 1) confirmed with CD-20 stain (Figure 2). Flow cytometry from the ascitic fluid detected a small CD5+ monoclonal B-cell population consistent with CLL.

A bone marrow biopsy was performed which did not show evidence of a Richter transformation and therefore he was started on chemotherapy. Although he is still requiring intermittent large volume paracenteses, his ascites has improved with chemotherapy.

Discussion: There are several etiologies of hepatic dysfunction in patients with CLL including drug-induced hepatotoxicity, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, Richter transformation and hepatic infiltration by leukemic cells. In patients with liver infiltration, hepatomegaly is reported in up to 20% of cases in the literature. However CLL liver involvement severe enough to cause portal hypertension and ascites is rare. This case highlights the importance of identifying the underlying etiology of liver dysfunction in a patient with CLL considering the variety of potential causes.



Disclosures:


Brianna Shinn, MD¹, Jonathan M. Fenkel, MD¹, Ubaldo Martinez-Outschoorn, MD², David Sass, MD¹. P2909 - Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemic Hepatic Infiltration Producing a “Cirrhotomimetic” Liver With Portal Hypertension, ACG 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Las Vegas, Nevada: American College of Gastroenterology.