An Unexpected Cause of Recurrent Jaundice after Resolution of Acute Hepatitis E

Abstract

In this report, we describe a rare case of liver enzyme disturbance caused by myeloid sarcoma of the gallbladder and biliary tract. A 63-year-old man with progressive chronic myeloid leukemia presented with acute hepatitis. Viral serology revealed an infection with hepatitis E virus. The liver enzymes and bilirubin improved gradually under treatment with ribavirin, but there was a flair up shortly after. Imaging including CT and echo-endoscopy showed a thickened infiltrated gallbladder wall and dilated bile ducts, suspected for myeloid sarcoma. Biopsy of an atypical skin lesion, present at the same time, confirmed the diagnosis of acute extramedullary leukemia. After induction chemotherapy, hematological improvement was seen together with a decrease of bilirubin and liver enzymes and a normalization of the bile ducts and gallbladder on imaging. However, three months later, myeloid leukemia progressed again, and the patient deceased.