Ultrasonographic findings in ceftriaxone: associated biliary sludge and pseudolithiasis in children

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the incidence of biliary sludge and pseudolithiasis in children treated with ceftriaxone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-three children (14 girls, 19 boys) treated with ceftriaxone for prophylaxis (n=13) or for an infection (n=20) were included in this study. The incidences of biliary sludge and pseudolithiasis were investigated using ultrasonography. The ultrasonographic evaluations were performed prior to and on the 4th-5th days and on the 8th-10th days of treatment. The patients who had biliary sludge or pseudolithiasis were followed up with ultrasonographic evaluation periodically until these pathological phenomena disappeared. RESULTS: Ceftriaxone was administrated intravenously at a dosage of 100 mg kg(-1) day(-1). Serial gallbladder sonograms were performed before treatment and on the 4th-5th and 8th-10th days of therapy. Nineteen children developed pseudolithiasis and sludge in the gallbladder, and all were asymptomatic. No significant differences were found between the patients with normal versus abnormal sonographic findings in regard to gender, age, duration of the therapy, oral restriction except the presence of surgery (P< 0.005). CONCLUSION: The combination of oral restriction and surgical procedures may be a causal factor in ceftriaxone-associated biliary pseudolithiasis. It is emphasized that when gallstone and/or sludge are detected in the gallbladder in children by ultrasonographic examination, the administration of ceftriaxone must be sought beyond other causative factors.