Dilated common bile ducts mimicking choledochal cysts in ketamine abusers

Hong Kong Med J. 2009 Feb;15(1):53-6.

Abstract

Substance abuse is a major health and social problem among Hong Kong youth and ketamine is the drug most commonly abused. Ketamine abuse is associated with a series of side-effects that include hallucination, nausea, vomiting, elevation of blood pressure, and urinary bladder dysfunction. Here we report three cases of ketamine abuse in which the abusers presented with recurrent epigastric pain and dilated common bile ducts that mimicked choledochal cysts on imaging. The dilated biliary tree may occur more frequently than was once assumed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesics / adverse effects*
  • Choledochal Cyst / diagnosis
  • Common Bile Duct Diseases / diagnosis
  • Common Bile Duct Diseases / etiology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / diagnosis
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / etiology
  • Female
  • Hong Kong
  • Humans
  • Ketamine / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Ketamine