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Hepatotoxicity is an often reported side effect of azathioprine treatment, which requires monitoring of serum transaminases and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT), especially during the first 6 months of treatment. This case report, however, illustrates that side effects of azathioprine can also occur after a longer period of treatment. We report a case of sinusoidal dilatation as a rare side effect of azathioprine treatment in a patient with systemic sclerosis.
CASE REPORT
A 50 year old female patient with systemic sclerosis presented with a rapid increase of body weight (approximately 5 kg within 3 days) and abdominal circumference, diffuse abdominal pain, oedema of the lower extremities, dyspnoea, tachycardia, and low blood pressure (90/60 mm Hg). Because systemic sclerosis with pulmonary involvement had been diagnosed 1½ years previously, the patient received azathioprine (2 mg/kg) and prednisone (5 mg) daily. The patient tested positive …