Biliary sludge associated with chronic hypokalemia in Bartter's syndrome

Abstract

Biliary sludge has been reported to be associated with pregnancy, rapid weight loss, critical illness, prolonged fasting, long-term administration of total parenteral nutrition, ceftriaxone and octreotide therapy, and solid-organ and bone marrow transplantation. Although biliary sludge accumulation is usually asymptomatic, it may lead to bile stone formation and various other complications. It has not yet been proven that chronic hypokalemia causes, or predisposes patients to biliary sludge formation. We present the case of an adult male with acalculous gangrenous cholecystitis that was associated with biliary sludge. The patient was diagnosed with hypokalemia likely due to Bartter's syndrome.