One case of fulminant hepatic failure related to Dictamnus dasycarpus

So Yun An,; Jae Youn Cheong,; Soon Sun Kim,; Da Mi Lee,; Jae Yeon Seok,; Young Bae Kim,; Sung Won Cho,

Korean J Med > Volume 78(4); 2010 > Article

Original Article

The Korean Journal of Medicine 2010;78(4):490-494.

One case of fulminant hepatic failure related to Dictamnus dasycarpus

So Yun An, Jae Youn Cheong, Soon Sun Kim, Da Mi Lee, Jae Yeon Seok, Young Bae Kim, Sung Won Cho

백선 복용 후 발생한 전격성 간부전 1예

안소연, 정재연, 김순선, 이다미, 석재연, 김영배, 조성원

Abstract

We report a case of fulminant hepatic failure related to ingesting Dictamnus dasycarpus. The patient had taken D. dasycarpus for 8 weeks after boiling down the root of D. dasycarpus in water, to promote health. The main symptoms and signs were general weakness and jaundice. Serology found no evidence of hepatitis A, B, or C infections. Imaging studies, including abdominal ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography, did not reveal any bile duct structural abnormalities. Based on the RUCAM score (8 points), D. dasycarpus was the probable cause for the drug-induced liver injury. Despite meticulous monitoring and supportive care, the patient died by a progression to fulminant hepatic failure. This case indicates that D. dasycarpus can cause lethal outcomes by fulminant hepatic failure.

Key Words: Dictamnus dasycarpus; Toxic hepatitis; Acute liver failure