Fatal Halothane Hepatitis with Transient Granulomas

Abstract

CLINICAL evidence indicates that adverse reactions to halothane are probably due to individual idiosyncrasies or hypersensitivities.^{1 2 3 4 5} Despite widespread use of the anesthetic, a recent national study⁶ revealed that associated fulminant hepatic necrosis was very infrequent but that patients who had been exposed twice were more prone to liver injury than those exposed only once. The present case provides additional morphologic evidence that halothane hepatitis is a hypersensitivity reaction. In addition to the usual histologic findings consistent with halothane hepatitis, tuberculoid granulomas were found in a liver biopsy of a woman who became jaundiced after a second exposure to the anesthetic. . . .