Ceftriaxone-associated acute gallbladder enlargement - an unexpected diagnosis in the child with urinary tract infection

Dev Period Med. 2015 Apr-Jun;19(2):182-5.

Abstract

Biliary sludge and/or biliary pseudolithiasis occur in patients treated with ceftriaxone with prevalence of 3-57%. Biliary obstruction can be the cause of the acute gallbladder enlargement. It is a minor complication, that usually does not give clinical symptoms and resolves once the drug is discontinued. The authors present a case of a 5-month old boy treated for the acute pyelonephritis. Routine ultrasound, performed on the 5th day of treatment with ceftriaxone, showed gallbladder enlargement. In the consecutive studies small gallblader sludge was visible. Patient had no symptoms related to the gallbladder enlargement. Ultrasound performed 6 weeks from the drug discontinuation was completely normal.

Conclusions: Patients treated with ceftroiaxone should be monitored for biliary sludge and pseudolithiasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Bile / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ceftriaxone / adverse effects*
  • Gallbladder Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Gallbladder Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Pyelonephritis / complications
  • Pyelonephritis / drug therapy*
  • Ultrasonography
  • Urinary Tract Infections / complications
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ceftriaxone