Portal Hypertension Refractory Ascites Caused by Secondary Hemochromatosis

Abstract

We report a patient with refractory ascites because of portal hypertension caused by hemochromatosis secondary to osteopetrosis. To our knowledge, this is the first well-documented case of this association. A 46-year-old male patient who was repeatedly infused with red blood cells for anemia secondary to osteopetrosis suffered from refractory ascites. The serum-ascites albumin gradient was 29.9 g/L. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a large amount of ascites, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly. Bone marrow biopsy showed a small bone marrow cavity with no hematopoietic tissue. A peripheral blood smear showed tear drop red blood cells and metarubricytes. Serum ferritin was 8,855.0 ng/mL. Therefore, we considered that the ascites resulted from portal hypertension caused by hemochromatosis secondary to osteopetrosis. We simultaneously performed the transjungular intrahepatic portal-systemic shunt (TIPS) and obtained a transjungular liver biopsy. The portal pressure gradient before TIPS was 28 mmHg, and iron staining was strongly positive on liver biopsy, which confirmed our diagnosis. After TIPS, both abdominal distention and ascites gradually resolved, and no recurrence as observed after the 12-month postoperative follow-up was observed. This case indicated that regular monitoring of iron load is important for patients with osteopetrosis. TIPS is safe and effective for portal hypertension complications due to osteopetrosis.