[Recurrent acute liver toxicity from intravenous methylprednisolone]

Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2008 Nov;100(11):720-3. doi: 10.4321/s1130-01082008001100010.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Adverse drug reactions (hepatotoxicity) are a frequent cause of acute liver injury with a wide clinical and histological spectrum. An early recognition of drug-related liver disease has been considered essential in clinical practice due to potential risks. In most cases exposure discontinuation improves the clinical picture.Steroids are used in a variety of clinical settings. However, intravenous steroids have rarely been associated with hepatotoxicity. We report the case of a middle-aged woman with multiple sclerosis who received a bolus of methylprednisolone on three occasions for the management of relapsing disease, with the development of repeated episodes of elevated liver enzymes after corticoid administration. In the third episode a liver biopsy was performed, which showed acute hepatitis with bridging necrosis; such histological picture has not been described before in patients treated with intravenous steroids.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Biopsy
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Liver / pathology
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Methylprednisolone / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy
  • Necrosis
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Methylprednisolone