Granulomatous hepatitis of unknown etiology: An etiologic and functional evaluation

The diagnosis in patients with granulomatous hepatitis can usually be obtained if the proper approach and criteria, such as previously outlined, are utilized. Liver destruction and fibrosis can usually be halted if specific therapy for infectious causes is instituted. Corticosteroid therapy seems to be indicated in patients with sarcoidosis with documented severe or progressive hepatitis, that is, the presence of jaundice, hypoalbuminemia, ascites, markedly elevated alkaline phosphatase levels and portal hypertension. Granulomatous disease may be associated with agammaglobulinemia, autoimmune disease, hematopoietic malignancies and carcinomas. Whether there is a statistically significant correlation between these diseases is not known.