Acalculous cholecystitis and fever related to total parenteral nutrition

Over the past several years, clinicians have become aware of the importance of maintaining a positive nitrogen balance in hospitalized patients. This has led to the widespread use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). However, with increased experience with this form of nutrition, numerous potential complications have been uncovered. One of the complications demonstrated with increased frequency is that of abnormal liver function, manifested by elevated serum liver enzymes. This report describes a 44-year-old woman with rectal abscesses and possible inflammatory bowel disease who developed severe right upper quadrant pain, abnormally elevated liver enzymes, and elevated body temperature during her course of TPN therapy. These problems possibly were related to the TPN regimen. Once TPN therapy was discontinued, the patient's liver enzyme values and elevated body temperature began to return to baseline. She subsequently was discharged from the hospital. A follow-up visit to the physician's office revealed that all liver enzyme values had returned to normal, the pain had resolved, and she was recovering well.