Choledocholithiasis presenting with very high transaminase level

Abstract

We present three cases of choledocholithiasis presenting with a rise in transaminase to levels normally associated with acute hepatitis (alanine aminotransferase in excess of 1000 IU/l). All three cases had repeated investigation for liver disease before identification of common bile duct stones with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram, and removal at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram. We discuss the existing literature and the potential mechanisms of hepatocyte injury in extrahepatic obstruction.