Nodular regenerative hyperplasia associated with primary antiphospholipid syndrome

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver is characterized by diffuse nodularity of the hepatic parenchyma without fibrotic septa. It may be related to venous or arterial obstruction in the portal tract. We report a case of primary antiphospholipid syndrome associated with nodular regenerative hyperplasia in a 45-year old woman. The patient had an ischemic stroke, associated with an acute arterial ischemia of the left leg. She had high titers of serum anticardiolipin antibodies. Nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver was histologically confirmed and was associated with anicteric cholestasis. This case provides additional evidence that a thrombotic mechanism may play a role in the pathogenesis of nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver.