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Chronic biliary colic associated with ketamine abuse.

Ahmed Al-Nowfal¹, Yahya A Al-Abed¹

¹Department of Surgery, Southend University Hospital, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, UK.

International Medical Case Reports Journal

|June 23, 2016

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Chronic biliary colic, often linked to gallstones, can occur without them (acalculous gallstone disease). This case highlights ketamine abuse as a rare cause of biliary pain and common bile duct dilation.

Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Toxicology

Background:

Biliary colic is typically caused by gallstones.
Acalculous gallstone disease presents similar symptoms without gallstones.
Ketamine abuse is an emerging cause of gastrointestinal distress.

Observation:

A 24-year-old female experienced recurrent right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and malaise for four years.
Investigations revealed possible common bile duct dilation but no gallstones.
The patient had a history of ketamine abuse.

Findings:

The patient presented with symptoms of biliary colic and a dilated common bile duct.
No gallstones were found, indicating acalculous biliary disease.
Chronic ketamine abuse was identified as the likely underlying cause.

Keywords:

acalculous gallstones biliary disease gastroenterology hepatology ketamine substance abuse

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Implications:

Physicians should consider drug history, particularly recreational drug use, in patients with acalculous biliary disease.
Ketamine abuse can lead to significant gastrointestinal complications, including biliary tract issues.
Increased awareness of recreational hallucinogenic drug abuse is crucial for diagnosing rare causes of biliary colic.