Coexistence of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and fibropolycystic liver disease

Abstract

This is a case report of a 43-year-old woman who received a transplant for end-stage liver disease due to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and fibropolycystic liver disease. This is an uncommon association of two autosomal-dominant conditions with defined genetic and molecular defects. The liver showed extensive vascular malformations of arteries and veins as well as telangiectasia and fibrosis. In addition, there were cystically dilated ducts containing inspissated bile and extensive von Meyenburg complexes. This case raises interesting questions about the possible relationship of these genes and their gene products, both of which are related to cell-matrix interactions and an strongly associated with blood vessels, one of them being expressed on endothelial cells and the other being developmentally important in blood vessels.