Hyperglycaemia as an indicator of concurrent acute pancreatitis in fulminant hepatic failure associated with hepatitis B infection.
Pancreatitis occurring concurrently with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is primarily detected on autopsy and is seldom clinically apparent. We report a fatal case of FHF in a 25-year-old woman which was related to acute hepatitis B infection. In this patient, hyperglycaemia needing insulin infusions led to the detection of acute pancreatitis. FHF complicated by acute pancreatitis has a poor prognosis. A high index of suspicion is necessary for its diagnosis. The role of orthotopic liver transplantation and use of antiviral therapies need further evaluation in this situation.
Srinivasan
A
A
Department of Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632004, India.
Venkataraman
S
S
Hansdak
S G
SG
Abraham
O C
OC
Mathai
D
D
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D015897:Comorbidity; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology