Histopathological Examination of Explanted Liver After Transplantation in Patients With Cryptogenic Cirrhosis

Cryptogenic cirrhosis is a common indication for liver transplantation. Diagnosis is made after exclusion of other causes of cirrhosis. In this study, the aim was to evaluate patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis after histopathological examination of explanted liver.

A retrospective histopathological chart review of 117 patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis who had liver transplantation between November 2009 and June 2014 was performed. Age, sex, operative features, survival rates, and preoperative and postoperative diagnosis were evaluated.

During the study period, 123 liver transplantations were performed for these 117 patients. Deceased donor liver transplantations were performed in 23 (18.7%) of the cases. Retransplantations were performed in 5 patients. Median age was 48 years, and female-to-male ratio was 41:76. Hepatosteatosis were observed in 29 patients. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis were observed in 20 (12%) and 9 (7.7%) of these patients, respectively. Autoimmune hepatitis was observed in 2 patients. The definitive cause of cirrhosis was unclear in 68 (58%) of the patients. Incidental malignant and premalignant lesions were observed in 15 patients.

Histopathological examination of the explanted liver after liver transplantation in those patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis may significantly help to diagnose the cause of cirrhosis, such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or autoimmune hepatitis, with using the scoring system developed by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Workgroup. In addition, incidental malignant or premalignant lesions may be observed.