Overview
Ketamine-induced biliary dilatation is a condition where the bile ducts (the tubes that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to the intestine) become abnormally widened as a result of ketamine use. Ketamine is a drug used medically as an anesthetic but is also misused recreationally. When ketamine is used repeatedly or in high doses over time, it can cause damage to the biliary system, leading to the bile ducts swelling and dilating. This condition is part of a broader spectrum of ketamine-related injuries that can also affect the bladder and urinary tract. Patients with this condition often experience upper abdominal pain, particularly in the right side under the ribs. They may also have nausea, vomiting, and abnormal liver function tests found on blood work. In some cases, the common bile duct becomes so dilated that it resembles other biliary diseases, which can make diagnosis tricky. Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes, may also occur if bile flow is significantly blocked. Treatment primarily involves stopping ketamine use entirely, which is the most important step. In many cases, the biliary dilatation can improve or even resolve once ketamine is discontinued. Supportive care may include pain management, monitoring of liver function, and in severe cases, procedures to relieve bile duct obstruction. Patients with this condition benefit from a multidisciplinary approach involving gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and addiction medicine specialists to address both the physical damage and the underlying substance use.
Key symptoms:
Upper abdominal pain, especially on the right sideNausea and vomitingYellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)Dark-colored urinePale or clay-colored stoolsLoss of appetiteAbnormal liver blood testsFever in some casesItchy skinWeight lossGeneral feeling of being unwellBloating or feeling of fullness
Clinical phenotype terms (4)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Ketamine-induced biliary dilatation.
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Specialists
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Ketamine-induced biliary dilatation.
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How severe is the bile duct dilatation, and has it caused any liver damage?,Will the bile duct changes reverse completely if I stop using ketamine?,Do I need any procedures to help with bile duct drainage?,How often will I need follow-up imaging and blood tests?,What support is available to help me stop using ketamine?,Are there any medications I should take to protect my liver?,Should I be checked for ketamine-related bladder damage as well?
Common questions about Ketamine-induced biliary dilatation
What is Ketamine-induced biliary dilatation?
Ketamine-induced biliary dilatation is a condition where the bile ducts (the tubes that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to the intestine) become abnormally widened as a result of ketamine use. Ketamine is a drug used medically as an anesthetic but is also misused recreationally. When ketamine is used repeatedly or in high doses over time, it can cause damage to the biliary system, leading to the bile ducts swelling and dilating. This condition is part of a broader spectrum of ketamine-related injuries that can also affect the bladder and urinary tract. Patients with this condition o
How is Ketamine-induced biliary dilatation inherited?
Ketamine-induced biliary dilatation follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Ketamine-induced biliary dilatation typically begin?
Typical onset of Ketamine-induced biliary dilatation is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.