[A case of fulminant hepatitis after reexposure to halothane six years later]

We reported a case of halothane-induced fulminant hepatitis with acute renal failure which developed 6 days after reexposure to halothane. The patient was a 58-year-old female. She had a history of liver dysfunction after exposure to halothane 6 years previously. She had surgical treatment of clubfoot under halothane anesthesia in other hospital. Preoperative physical examination and laboratory data were normal. On the 6th post-operative day she abruptly developed high fever and general fatigue. Next day, she was transferred to our hospital. At admission, fulminant hepatitis complicated with acute renal failure was diagnosed with severe liver and renal damage. She was immediately treated with plasma exchange, glucose-insulin therapy, and hemodialysis. Serum transaminase level returned to normal value within a week. However, despite repeated hemodialysis, renal function did not improve, and she died of P. aeruginosa sepsis on 28th day after the operation. It may be suggested that in this patient hypersensitivity to halothane has persisted during the six years.