A Serendipitous Find: A Case of Cholangiocarcinoma Identified Incidentally After Acute Liver Injury Due to Cascara sagrada Ingestion.

Abstract

The use of anthranoid laxatives such as Cascara sagrada can, in rare instances, produce a hepatitis that resolves with discontinuation of the offending supplement. However, the clinical presentation of abdominal pain, jaundice, clay-colored stools, and darkening urine can mimic the presentation of a variety of hepatobiliary illnesses, including cholangiocarcinoma. This case report describes a local patient diagnosed with an extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma following workup for an acute hepatitis due to ingestion of large quantities of Cascara sagrada.

• Authors: Elizabeth S Nakasone, Jinichi Tokeshi
• Journal: Hawai'i journal of medicine & public health : a journal of Asia Pacific Medicine & Public Health (Hawaii J Med Public Health) Vol. 74 Issue 6 Pg. 200-2 (Jun 2015) ISSN: 2165-8242 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26114074 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cathartics
• Plant Preparations

Topics

• Aged
• Bile Duct Neoplasms (diagnosis)
• Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic
• Cathartics (adverse effects)
• Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury (diagnosis, etiology)
• Cholangiocarcinoma (diagnosis)
• Constipation (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Incidental Findings
• Phytotherapy (adverse effects)
• Plant Preparations (adverse effects)
• Rhamnus (adverse effects)