Recurrent High-Dose Intravenous Methylprednisolone Succinate Pulse Therapy-Induced Hepatopathy in a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: We describe recurrent and reversible hepatopathy in a girl with multiple sclerosis (MS) after glucocorticoid pulse therapy, to point out the possibility that glucocorticoid may harm the liver. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: An 11-year-old girl with MS, who was treated with high-dose methylprednisolone succinate pulse therapy, developed elevation of liver enzymes. The episodes of hepatopathy occurred 1–5 weeks after the therapy and disappeared within several weeks. The examination for antinuclear antibody and viruses which can cause hepatitis produced negative results. Conclusion: The present case emphasizes the possible effects of high-dose glucocorticoids in the induction of liver enzymes and the importance of follow-up liver tests after pulse therapy. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel Received: September 10, 2009 Accepted: September 30, 2010 Fumiharu Kimura First Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical College 2–7 Daigaku-cho Takatsuki City, Osaka 569-8686 (Japan) Tel. +81 726 831 221, Fax +81 726 831 801, E-Mail in1110 @ poh.osaka-med.ac.jp © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel 1011–7571/11/0203–0291$38.00/0 Accessible online at: www.karger.com/mpp Daisuke Furutama, MD, PhD, died on December 10, 2009, at the age of 47 years. The coauthors greatly regret his passing away. D ow nl oa de d by : 54 .7 0. 40 .1 1 11 /5 /2 01 7 7: 12 :5 0 P M