Halothane Hepatitis: Benign Resolution of a Severe Lesion

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Abstract
Three patients with halothane hepatitis were studied during the acute phase of their illness and for 10-14 mo. thereafter. Clinical, biochemical and histologic data were obtained initially and during the course of follow-up. Despite initially severe clinical and biochemical presentations, with extensive bridging hepatic necrosis on liver biopsy, all 3 patients resolved completely and had minimally abnormal liver biopsy appearances at last follow-up. Hepatic necrosis associated with halothane hypersensitivity is self-limited and that despite the initial severity of the hepatic lesion, postnecrotic cirrhosis does not develop. Based on these 3 patients'' courses, survival of the acute bout of halothane hepatitis is apparently accompanied by an excellent prognosis ultimately, provided that reexposure to halothane is avoided.