Peliosis hepatis. Twelve cases associated with oral androgen therapy

Peliosis hepatis was encountered in 12 patients treated with high-dose oxymetholone or fluoxymesterone therapy. In three cases liver failure was the primary cause of death. In one case, the diagnosis was established by biopsy, the androgen therapy was discontinued, and the lesion was absent at autopsy two years later. In eight cases peliosis hepatis was an incidental finding at postmortem examination. The clinical and anatomic features of these cases are described, and previously reported cases of peliosis are briefly reviewed. A hypothesis is offered to explain the association of this peculiar lesion with anabolic androgen therapy.