Sulfasalazine-induced fulminant hepatic failure and necrotizing pancreatitis. 1994

R Rubin
Department of Pathology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

We report the simultaneous development of fulminant hepatic failure and necrotizing pancreatitis in a patient treated with sulfasalazine. The patient had recent onset of ulcerative colitis. A diffuse skin rash and fulminant hepatic failure developed 2-3 wk after initiation of sulfasalazine therapy. An exploratory laparotomy revealed severe necrotizing pancreatitis with phlegmon, in addition to confluent hepatic necrosis. Electron microscopy of the liver was consistent with drug injury. The patient died after 2 months of hospitalization. This is the first reported case of the concurrent development of these complications associated with sulfasalazine hypersensitivity. These potential adverse effects of sulfasalazine should be considered when using this agent.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009336 Necrosis The death of cells in an organ or tissue due to disease, injury or failure of the blood supply.
D010195 Pancreatitis INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS. Pancreatitis is classified as acute unless there are computed tomographic or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic findings of CHRONIC PANCREATITIS (International Symposium on Acute Pancreatitis, Atlanta, 1992). The two most common forms of acute pancreatitis are ALCOHOLIC PANCREATITIS and gallstone pancreatitis. Acute Edematous Pancreatitis,Acute Pancreatitis,Pancreatic Parenchyma with Edema,Pancreatic Parenchymal Edema,Pancreatitis, Acute,Pancreatitis, Acute Edematous,Peripancreatic Fat Necrosis,Acute Edematous Pancreatitides,Acute Pancreatitides,Edema, Pancreatic Parenchymal,Edematous Pancreatitides, Acute,Edematous Pancreatitis, Acute,Fat Necrosis, Peripancreatic,Necrosis, Peripancreatic Fat,Pancreatic Parenchymal Edemas,Pancreatitides, Acute,Pancreatitides, Acute Edematous,Parenchymal Edema, Pancreatic,Peripancreatic Fat Necroses
D003093 Colitis, Ulcerative Inflammation of the COLON that is predominantly confined to the MUCOSA. Its major symptoms include DIARRHEA, rectal BLEEDING, the passage of MUCUS, and ABDOMINAL PAIN. Colitis Gravis,Idiopathic Proctocolitis,Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis Type,Ulcerative Colitis
D004342 Drug Hypersensitivity Immunologically mediated adverse reactions to medicinal substances used legally or illegally. Allergy, Drug,Hypersensitivity, Drug,Drug Allergy,Allergies, Drug,Drug Allergies,Drug Hypersensitivities,Hypersensitivities, Drug
D006501 Hepatic Encephalopathy A syndrome characterized by central nervous system dysfunction in association with LIVER FAILURE, including portal-systemic shunts. Clinical features include lethargy and CONFUSION (frequently progressing to COMA); ASTERIXIS; NYSTAGMUS, PATHOLOGIC; brisk oculovestibular reflexes; decorticate and decerebrate posturing; MUSCLE SPASTICITY; and bilateral extensor plantar reflexes (see REFLEX, BABINSKI). ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY may demonstrate triphasic waves. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1117-20; Plum & Posner, Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma, 3rd ed, p222-5) Encephalopathy, Hepatic,Portosystemic Encephalopathy,Encephalopathy, Hepatocerebral,Encephalopathy, Portal-Systemic,Encephalopathy, Portosystemic,Fulminant Hepatic Failure with Cerebral Edema,Hepatic Coma,Hepatic Stupor,Hepatocerebral Encephalopathy,Portal-Systemic Encephalopathy,Coma, Hepatic,Comas, Hepatic,Encephalopathies, Hepatic,Encephalopathies, Hepatocerebral,Encephalopathies, Portal-Systemic,Encephalopathies, Portosystemic,Encephalopathy, Portal Systemic,Hepatic Comas,Hepatic Encephalopathies,Hepatic Stupors,Hepatocerebral Encephalopathies,Portal Systemic Encephalopathy,Portal-Systemic Encephalopathies,Portosystemic Encephalopathies,Stupor, Hepatic,Stupors, Hepatic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012460 Sulfasalazine A drug that is used in the management of inflammatory bowel diseases. Its activity is generally considered to lie in its metabolic breakdown product, 5-aminosalicylic acid (see MESALAMINE) released in the colon. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p907) Salicylazosulfapyridine,Asulfidine,Azulfadine,Azulfidine,Azulfidine EN,Colo-Pleon,Pleon,Pyralin EN,Salazopyrin,Salazosulfapyridine,Sulfasalazin medac,Sulfasalazin-Heyl,Sulfasalazine FNA,Sulphasalazine,Ucine,Ulcol,ratio-Sulfasalazine,Colo Pleon,Sulfasalazin Heyl,ratio Sulfasalazine

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