[Peliosis hepatis in dermatomyositis treated with azathioprine and corticoids].

We report a case of peliosis hepatis in a 47-year old male patient with dermatomyositis treated with azathioprine and corticosteroids. Three months after the combined treatment was initiated, the patient developed right thoracic herpes zoster, agranulocytosis and liver enlargement with signs of portal hypertension. Needle biopsy of the liver revealed peliosis. Azathioprine was withdrawn. The clinical and laboratory abnormalities disappeared progressively. The main causes of peliosis hepatis are considered. Up to now, azathioprine had been held responsible for peliosis hepatis only in renal transplant recipients.