Background: Given its favourable pharmacokinetic parameters, propofol is commonly used for sedative procedures. The agent is extensively metabolized in the liver and there are sporadic reports of propofol induced acute hepatitis.
Case: A 73-year-old Chinese lady underwent a routine endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography with propofol sedation who developed deranged liver function tests 4 hours post procedure peaking on day 1. She improved with conservative management only and no other causes for the clinical picture was found. A review of the literature revealed several case reports where propofol have been implicated as a triggering factor.
Conclusion: Although propofol produces rapid recovery without major adverse effects in the vast majority of cases, it is worth bearing in mind the possibility of idiosyncratic reactions that are detrimental to the liver.
A Rare Case of Propofol-Induced Acute Hepatitis in after a Brief Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP)