Severe jaundice in a gunshot casualty due to the coexistence of Dubin-Johnson and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

J Clin Gastroenterol. 1999 Jun;28(4):383-5. doi: 10.1097/00004836-199906000-00024.

Abstract

We report an unusual case of a 21-year-old man who was shot in his abdomen in the course of a robbery. He was previously diagnosed as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient. Mild icterus was noticed on admission to the emergency room. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a perforated ileal loop that was resected, and because the liver color was greenish black, a liver biopsy was performed during the operation. After operation the patient went through a severe icteric state that resolved spontaneously within a few days. Urinary coproporphyrin levels, along with compatible liver biopsy, confirmed the diagnosis of Dubin-Johnson disease. Severe hyperbilirubinemia after an abdominal injury is uncommon and is usually due to either a biliary duct injury or iatrogenic injury. This case presents an unusual cause of severe postoperative jaundice due to the rare coexistence of two inherited disorders.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Injuries / complications
  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / complications*
  • Humans
  • Jaundice / etiology*
  • Jaundice, Chronic Idiopathic / complications*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Wounds, Gunshot / complications*