[Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis presenting as acute liver failure in a patient with Hodgkin lymphoma: case report and review of the literature].

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare cause of acute liver failure. It requires a high level of clinical suspicion to reach the diagnosis and avoid fatal outcomes. The case of a 13-year old patient with fever, anasarca, jaundice, lymphadenopathy and encephalopathy is presented. Laboratory studies showed anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, hyperferritinemia, elevated INR, and hemophagocytic phenomenon in centrifugated ascitic fluid. Bone biopsy showed mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma. This report discusses diagnostic criteria, etiology and management of hemophagocytic limphohistocytosis, as well as its association with acute liver failure.