Octreotide-induced acute life-threatening gallstones after vicarious contrast medium excretion: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND Octreotide is widely used for the treatment of acromegaly, neuroendocrine tumors, and secretory diarrhea. However, long-term octreotide treatment can increase the incidence of gallstones. Vicarious contrast medium excretion (VCME) through the hepatobiliary system is well known. However, few studies have reported octreotide-induced acute gallstones following VCME. CASE SUMMARY A 69-year-old man presented with left lower back pain and hematuria caused by a fall. The patient had a history of polycystic kidney disease. VCME occurred following renal artery embolization for a ruptured polycystic kidney. After 5 d of treatment with octreotide, the patient developed acute gallstones and intrahepatic cholestasis which further induced pancreatitis and cholangitis. He was discharged after hemodialysis, antibiotics, and supportive treatments. CONCLUSION For patients with a high-risk of VCME, octreotide should be cautiously administered and carefully monitored.