Idiopathic granulomatous hepatitis in an 11-year-old boy

Hepatic granulomas are reported in 2-15% of all liver biopsies that are attributable to various causes. Owing to the diverse prognostic and therapeutic implications, a detailed workup of all liver biopsies with granulomatous lesions is mandatory. The cause of the disease may remain obscure in up to 50% cases of "idiopathic granulomatous hepatitis" (IGH). This disease runs a chronic relapsing course. Hepatocellular dysfunction may be an early predominant manifestation unlike that in the available literature. Timely recognition and diagnosis of IGH is imperative as the disease responds well to immunosuppressants that can prevent permanent liver damage. We report a case of a young boy with IGH who was successfully treated with immunosuppressive therapy.