'The efficacy of extracorporeal liver support with molecular adsorbent recirculating system in severe drug-induced liver injury

Abstract

We report a case of a 26-year-old man with no significant medical history, who presented with fatigue, pruritus, jaundice, dark urine and clay colored stool for one month. He had been taking methyl-1-etiochoenolol-epietiocholanolone, an androgenic anabolic steroid (AAS). He was initially found to have a total bilirubin (Tbili) of 6 mg/dL. He discontinued the AAS but the patients' symptoms worsened and Tbili increased to 36 mg/d. This prompted inpatient management of his drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) is an extracorporeal liver support system that replaces the detoxification function of the liver. The patient was initiated on a 4-day trial of MARS therapy. Over the course of his therapy, he clinically improved and his Tbili decreased to 20.7 mg/dL. At follow-up, his symptoms resolved and Tbili was 3.3 mg/dl. This case demonstrates the efficacy of MARS in treating severe cholestatic DILI refractory to standard medical therapy.