Fulminant herpes simplex viral hepatitis: ultrasound and CT imaging appearance and a review of the imaging literature

Clin Imaging. 2014 Mar-Apr;38(2):191-4. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2013.11.015. Epub 2013 Dec 4.

Abstract

We report the case of a previously healthy 21-year-old woman who presented 6 days post-partum in acute fulminant hepatic failure. A liver ultrasound demonstrated normal echogenicity without discrete nodules while an enhanced computed tomography (CT) demonstrated innumerable 1- to 3-mm hypodense nodules throughout the liver with greater involvement of the left lobe. Liver biopsy confirmed herpes simplex virus infection. We believe this disease has a characteristic appearance on CT and prompt recognition can expedite diagnosis and therapy.

Keywords: Acute hepatitis; CT imaging; Herpes simplex virus; Ultrasound imaging.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Female
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / complications
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / diagnosis*
  • Herpes Simplex / complications
  • Herpes Simplex / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Failure, Acute / complications
  • Liver Failure, Acute / diagnosis*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / virology
  • Postpartum Period
  • Simplexvirus
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography
  • Young Adult