Gilbert syndrome with systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with persistent unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia: A case report

Chemotherapy-Induced Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia Complicated by Other Trigger Factors in a Child with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and UGT1A1 Mutation-Associated Gilbert Syndrome

Gilbert syndrome (GS) is an inherited disorder characterised by unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia due to a deficiency in hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) enzyme activity, responsible for bilirubin glucuronidation. This results in decreased bilirubin conjugation and excretion, leading to elevated serum unconjugated bilirubin levels. In T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), treatment typically involves intensive chemotherapy regimens that include agents metabolised by the liver, requiring careful consideration of liver function and bilirubin metabolism in patients with concurrent GS. We present the case of a 15-year-old male who was diagnosed with T-ALL and treated with a chemotherapy regimen following the modified Dutch Child Oncology Group ALL-9 (High Risk) protocol. Concurrently, the patient was observed to have persistent unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia aggravated by infection and fasting despite normal to mildly deranged liver function, which was initially assumed to be attributed by 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP). Further workup confirmed a diagnosis of GS based on clinical history, laboratory findings, and genetic testing. We recommend performing a genetic analysis of UGT1A1 in patients presenting with chemotherapy-induced hyperbilirubinemia with no signs of liver impairment. This aims to prevent unnecessary alterations in chemotherapy regimens that could potentially increase the risk of relapse.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy after bilirubin adsorption for distal cholangiocarcinoma with severe obstructive jaundice refractory to repeat preoperative endoscopic biliary drainage: a case report

The necessity of biliary drainage before pancreaticoduodenectomy remains controversial in cases involving malignant obstructive jaundice; however, the benefits of biliary drainage have been reported in cases with severe hyperbilirubinemia. Herein, we present the case of a 61-year-old man suffering from jaundice due to distal cholangiocarcinoma. In this case, obstructive jaundice was refractory to repeat endoscopic drainage and bilirubin adsorption. Hyperbilirubinemia persisted despite successful implementation of biliary endoscopic sphincterotomy and two rounds of plastic stent placements. Stent occlusion and migration were unlikely and oral cholagogues proved ineffective. Owing to the patient's surgical candidacy and his aversion to nasobiliary drainage due to discomfort, bilirubin adsorption was introduced as an alternative therapeutic intervention. Following repeated adsorption sessions, a gradual decline in serum total bilirubin levels was observed and pancreaticoduodenectomy was scheduled. The patient successfully underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with portal vein resection and reconstruction and D2 lymph node dissection. After the surgery, the serum bilirubin levels gradually decreased and the patient remained alive, with no recurrence at 26 months postoperatively. Therefore, this case highlights the feasibility and safety of performing pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with severe, refractory jaundice who have not responded to repeated endoscopic interventions and have partially responded to bilirubin adsorption.

A Rare Case of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome Coexisting With Gilbert Syndrome

Gilbert syndrome (GS) is an autosomal recessive inherited bilirubin metabolism disorder characterized by chronic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in the absence of hemolysis and liver disease. Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), mainly occurring in women, is a common connective tissue disease (CTD) wherein bilirubin levels are generally reduced. We report a rare case of pSS coexisting with GS. A 35-year-old female patient presented to our hospital with pSS and chronic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, for which low-dose methylprednisolone was ineffective. The patient's liver function test results were normal, serological tests for hepatitis virus were negative, and abdominal ultrasound did not indicate abnormal liver morphology. Bone mineral density determination showed that the Z scores of the left femoral neck and lumbar spine were -1.9 and -2.6, respectively, with T scores of -2.1 and -2.8, respectively. Full-exon sequencing revealed a homozygous TA insertion in the TATA box (A(TA)7TAA) and a heterozygous base substitution from C to A at nucleotide position 686 in exon 1 (c.686C>A) in the uridine glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with pSS, GS, and osteoporosis. The dose of methylprednisolone was then reduced and gradually stopped, and treatment for osteoporosis was strengthened. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pSS with GS. It is important to clarify the cause of hyperbilirubinemia in patients with CTD, including pSS, which affects the formulation of correct treatment plans.