[Hepatobiliary complications detected by ultrasonography in patients undergoing total parenteral nutrition]

We studied 8 adult patients who received total parenteral nutrition (TPN). An abdominal ultrasound and liver functions test were done weekly looking for biliary sludge, thickening of the gallbladder wall, changes en bile ducts and liver parenchyma. Seven patients developed biliary sludge at week four. We didn't detect changes in bile ducts neither in the gallbladder wall. Two patients had elevations of bilirubin, Alkaline phosphatase and aminotransferase during TPN. 3 patients developed mild liver steatosis detected by ultrasound during the third and sixth week of NPT. Our findings agree with other studies that describe the development of biliary sludge, gallbladder stones, liver steatosis and colestasis in patients receiving TPN. Once TPN is stopped and oral feeding is restarted this changes usually disappear.