Jaundice as a presentation of phenol induced hepatotoxicity following injection sclerotherapy for haemorrhoids

A 43-year-old man was admitted with jaundice six days following phenol injection sclerotherapy for haemorrhoids. He was diagnosed with a phenol-induced hepatitis. Although he remained well, liver function tests only returned to normal after six months. Systemic absorption of phenol has been reported with ingestion, upper airway and excessive cutaneous exposure but not as a complication of haemorrhoidal injection sclerotherapy. Hepatic involvement is also rare and usually the result of ongoing sepsis. We report the unique case of a patient presenting with jaundice secondary to chemical hepatitis, following systemic absorption of phenol at injection sclerotherapy. This case highlights the importance of clinical awareness of not only the infective complications of injection sclerotherapy but also the potential for phenol to be absorbed systemically with severe consequences. A brief overview of symptoms of phenol toxicity is included