Secondary Hemosiderosis in a Case of Alcoholic Liver Disease: Getting to the Root Cause

Abstract

Hemosiderosis stands for the presence of demonstrable iron in tissues, mainly in parenchymal organs like liver and pancreas. Hemosiderosis in chronic liver disease often remains undiagnosed and the association between alcohol consumption and hemosiderosis may not be of common knowledge among physicians. We present the autopsy findings of a patient diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease who remained undiagnosed for secondary hemosiderosis until his demise. Pathogenesis of secondary hemosiderosis in alcoholic liver disease is discussed.