Prolonged cholestasis following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, a rare complication of contrast agent induced liver injury: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE: Prolonged cholestasis is a rare complication associated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). PATIENT CONCERNS: A 68-year-old man who presented with worsening cholestasis after ERCP for the removal of a common bile duct stone. DIAGNOSIS: Total bilirubin increased up to 35.2 mg/dL after the 21st day post-ERCP. A percutaneous liver biopsy was performed and drug-related cholestasis was suspected as occurring as a result of the contrast agent. INTERVENTIONS: Oral ursodeoxycholic acid and cholestyramine were prescribed to the patient. OUTCOMES: By the 7th week post-ERCP, the patient's symptoms and markers of physiological health began to resolve. The bilirubin returned to normal levels on the 106th day post-ERCP. We reviewed the literature for studies of 9 patients with jaundice more than 30 days post-ERCP, the peak of total serum bilirubin occurred on 16th +/- 7th days and the recovery followed after mean time of 54th +/- 22th days. LESSONS: Although the cholestasis was prolonged, the outcome was favorable after medical therapy. There were no long-term consequences for the patient.