Two cases of toxic hepatitis caused by arrowroot juice

doi:2009.15.4.504

Korean J Hepatol > Volume 15(4); 2009 > Article

The Korean Journal of Hepatology 2009;15(4): 504-509.
doi: https://doi.org/10.3350/kjhep.2009.15.4.504

Two cases of toxic hepatitis caused by arrowroot juice

Seung Young Kim , Hyung Joon Yim , Jae Hong Ahn , Jeong Han Kim , Jin Nam Kim , Ik Yoon , Dong Il Kim , Hong Sik Lee , Sang Woo Lee , Jai Hyun Choi

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

ABSTRACT

Herbal remedies and health foods are widely used, and their side effects have been reported. We describe two cases of symptomatic toxic hepatitis that developed in middle-aged women after ingesting arrowroot juice. The clinical manifestations were nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. The diagnosis of toxic hepatitis was made using the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method score on the basis of the patient`s history and laboratory data. After supportive care, the patients showed rapid improvements of clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and liver stiffness. Clinicians should be aware that the consumption of arrowroot juice can cause toxic hepatitis. (Korean J Hepatol 2009;15:504-509)

KeyWords: Arrowroot; Toxic hepatitis; Liver stiffness