Peliosis hepatis in recipients of renal transplants.

Peliosis hepatis, an uncommon liver lesion characterised by blood-filled cavities bordered by hepatocytic plates, was found in 12 patients three to 17 months after renal transplantation. Hepatomegaly and portal hypertension were present in five of the six patients with major peliosis hepatis, and were absent in the other six with minor hepatic lesions. Alterations of centrilobular vein walls in some of these patients suggest that peliosis hepatis could be the result of a blockade or liver blood outflow at the junctions of sinusoids and centrilobular veins. The cause of these alterations might be azathioprine.