All issues > Volume 41(6); 1998

Case Report

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1998;41(6):841-843. Published online June 15, 1998.

A Case of Ceftriaxone-induced Pseudocholelithiasis

Hong Kwon HK Kim¹, Jeong Ho JH Kim¹, Kyung Mo KM Kim¹, Chong Hyun CH Yoon²

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Hong Kwon HK Kim ,Email: 1

Abstract

Ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin, is a very potent, broad spectrum antibiotic commonly used in patients with meningitis, osteomyelitis, pyelonephritis, Lyme disease and many other severe infectious diseases. Up to 46% of those receiving this antibiotic develop gallbladder sludge. Most of them are asymptomatic, but a small proportion may develop right upper quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting and even cholecystitis. We report a case of ceftriaxone-induced pseudocholelithiasis in a 5-year-old boy. We also emphasize the fact that surgical interventions such as cholecystectomy is not necessary, because the condition may resolve spontaneously after cessation of the drug.

Keywords :Ceftriaxone, Biliary Pseudolithiasis, Pseudocholelithiasis, Gallbladder sludge