Ketamine-induced hepatoxicity-Tt’s all the rave!

Abstract

We wish to describe a 22-year-old male with hepatotoxicity and fibrosis due to extensive ketamine abuse. During our workup there was no other significant cause for liver disease. Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist used commonly as a procedural sedative. It is abused on "the street" and known as "Special K". It is popular among users for its dissociative effects. Urological, biliary and liver abnormalities have been reported previously in the literature as a result of long-term Ketamine abuse-severe liver fibrosis/cirrhosis has rarely been reported in the US as a result of its abuse. This case offers important teaching points and may herald a new trend as Ketamine becomes increasingly popular.

Persistent Ketamine-Induced Cholangiopathy: An Approach to Management

“…Lui et al suggest ketamine causes NMDA receptor stimulation within smooth muscle cells of the bile duct leading to inflammation, fibrosis and stricturing [ 2 ]. In their case, a biopsy was performed that displayed mild to moderate portal fibrosis with ductular proliferation, which was also seen in Haghi et al’s case [ 2 , 3 ].…”