Hepatolithiasis and Choledocholithiasis Secondary to Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in the Setting of COVID-19 and Lupus

ACG Case Rep J. 2024 Jul 11;11(7):e01434. doi: 10.14309/crj.0000000000001434. eCollection 2024 Jul.

Abstract

Two major etiologies of hyperbilirubinemia include hemolysis and cholestasis. Although rare, the former can give rise to the latter through the formation of pigment gallstones and subsequent biliary tree obstruction. We report a case of a 57-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with dyspnea and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. She was found to have hepatolithiasis and choledocholithiasis secondary to warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia in the setting of COVID-19. In patients with symptomatic anemia secondary to acute hemolysis and concomitant right upper quadrant abdominal pain, elevated hepatocellular laboratory results should prompt a high clinical suspicion for biliary tree pigment stones.

Keywords: COVID-19; choledocholithiasis; hemolysis; hepatolithiasis; warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports