Cholestasis and biliary dilatation associated with chronic ketamine abuse: a case series

Lo RSC, Krishnamoorthy R, Freeman JG, Austin AS
Correspondence: Dr Robert SC Lo, robertlo@doctors.org.uk

ABSTRACT
Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic agent that is still widely used in veterinary and human medicine. It is increasingly being used as a recreational hallucinogenic drug. Chronic ketamine abuse is known to account for lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary bladder dysfunction. There is now emerging evidence that ketamine misuse is also associated with abnormal liver function tests and biliary tract abnormality. We report three cases of chronic ketamine misuse in three young men who all presented with obstructive jaundice and biliary tract abnormality. We also describe the clinical features, radiological findings and potential underlying mechanisms for this new entity.

Keywords: biliary dilatation, cholestasis, ketamine
Singapore Med J 2011; 52(3): e52-e55