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Biliary pseudolithiasis in a child associated with 2 days of ceftriaxone therapy
1Department of Radiology, CHU de Sherbrooke (Quebec), Canada.
Pediatric Radiology
|January 1, 1994
Insights
Ceftriaxone antibiotic can cause gallbladder precipitation in children, mimicking gallstones. This complication, known as biliary pseudolithiasis, can occur rapidly after starting treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pharmacology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, is widely used in pediatric care.
- It is known to cause reversible gallbladder precipitation, a condition often referred to as biliary pseudolithiasis.
- Radiologic signs typically manifest after 9-11 days of treatment.
Observation:
- A case study involving a pediatric patient receiving ceftriaxone therapy is presented.
- Biliary pseudolithiasis was observed to develop unusually rapidly in this patient.
- The complication occurred within 48 hours of initiating ceftriaxone treatment.
Findings:
- The rapid development of biliary pseudolithiasis within 48 hours of ceftriaxone administration is a key finding.
- This precipitation mimics the radiologic appearance of true cholelithiasis (gallstones).
- The reversible nature of the precipitation is a characteristic feature.
Implications:
- Clinicians prescribing ceftriaxone, particularly in pediatric populations, must be vigilant for this adverse effect.
- Radiologists should consider ceftriaxone-induced biliary pseudolithiasis in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder abnormalities in children.
- Awareness of this complication can prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions for true gallstones.
Abstract:
Ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin, is known to induce reversible precipitations in the gallbladder of children. In general, radiologic signs and symptoms will develop after 9-11 days of treatment. The authors report a case where 48 h of therapy were sufficient to develop a biliary pseudolithiasis. Clinicians and radiologists should be aware of this complication which mimics true cholelithiasis.