Aihara Y, Yoshiji H, Yamazaki M, Ikenaka Y, Noguchi R, Morioka C, Kaji K, Tastumi H, Nakanishi K, Nakamura M, Yamao J, Toyohara M, Mitoro A, Sawai M, Yoshida M, Fujimoto M, Uemura M, Fukui H. A case of severe acalculous cholecystitis associated with sorafenib treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2012; 4(5): 115-118 [PMID: 22645635 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v4.i5.115]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Hitoshi Yoshiji, MD, PhD, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, Shijo-cho 840, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan. yoshijih@naramed-u.ac.jp
Article-Type of This Article
Case Report
Open-Access Policy of This Article
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Yosuke Aihara, Hitoshi Yoshiji, Masaharu Yamazaki, Yasuhide Ikenaka, Ryuichi Noguchi, Chie Morioka, Kosuke Kaji, Haruki Tastumi, Keisuke Nakanishi, Maiko Nakamura, Junichi Yamao, Masahisa Toyohara, Akira Mitoro, Masayoshi Sawai, Motoyuki Yoshida, Masao Fujimoto, Masahito Uemura, Hiroshi Fukui, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, Nara 634-8522, Japan
Author contributions: Aihara Y and Yoshiji H described the clinical case, obtained informed consent from the patient, conceived the study, participated in its design, assisted in data collection, coordinated and helped draft the manuscript; Yoshiji H undertook the literature research and contributed to the writing; Yamazaki M, Ikenaka Y, Noguchi R, Morioka C, Kaji K, Tatsumi H, Nakanishi K, Nakamura M, Yamao J, Toyohara M, Mitoro A, Sawai M, Yoshida M, Fujimoto M, Uemura M and Fukui H were responsible for the diagnosis, patient management and review.
Correspondence to: Hitoshi Yoshiji, MD, PhD, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, Shijo-cho 840, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan. yoshijih@naramed-u.ac.jp
Received: August 3, 2011 Revised: February 14, 2012 Accepted: February 20, 2012 Published online: May 15, 2012
Abstract
Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, is the first and only drug, which improves significantly the overall survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, many patients experience diverse side effects, some of them severe and unexpected. To date, acute acalculous cholecystitis has not been documented in association with a HCC patient treated with sorafenib. Here, we report the case of a 43-year-old woman with hepatitis C virus-related advanced HCC. She received sorafenib, and later complained of a sudden onset of severe right hypocondrial pain with rebound tenderness and muscle defense. Laboratory examination showed mild elevation of transaminases, biliary enzymes, bilirubin, inflammation markers, and a marked peripheral eosinophilia. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a swollen gallbladder with exudate associated with severe inflammation without stones or debris. Consequently, sorafenib treatment was stopped immediately, and steroid-pulse therapy was performed. Steroid therapy drastically improved all clinical manifestations along with normalization of CT findings, eosinophilia, and liver functions. In summary, we herein report a rare case of acute severe acalculous cholecystitis associated with sorafenib in the patient with advanced HCC.
