Spontaneous hepatic rupture in a bodybuilder: a case report and review of the literature

• Pietro Mascagni ^[1] ; Fabio Melandro ^[1] ; Zoe Larghi Laureiro ^[1] ; Gianluca Mennini ^[1] ; Massimo Rossi ^[1]
  1. [1] Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I. Rome, Italy
• Localización: Revista Española de Enfermedades Digestivas, ISSN-e 2340-4167, ISSN 1130-0108, Vol. 110, Nº. 4, 2018, págs. 254-256
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This article is the first description of a spontaneous hepatic rupture in a young bodybuilder with a history of clenbuterol and ephedrine alkaloid use.

    The patient presented with a sudden mid-epigastric pain and vomiting. Hemoglobin levels decreased a few hours later and a computed tomography scan was performed which revealed a rupture of the right liver capsule and hemoperitoneum.

    Two attempts at transarterial embolization did not control the bleeding and a right hemihepatectomy was performed.

    The pathological report identified a hepatic adenoma, a capsular tear and diffuse peliosis hepatis. The patient was discharged in a good condition after eleven days.

    Spontaneous hepatic ruptures are rare and life-threatening and are usually described in association with tumors, connective tissue diseases and gestosis. This article is a review of the available literature with regard to this condition, with a focus on its relation to peliosis hepatis and banned substance used by body image fanatics.

    The present case highlights the challenging diagnosis of this potentially fatal liver complication in a healthy appearing male, the risk associated with the online trade of performance enhancing drugs and its relation with peliosis hepatis.