Propylthiouracil-induced fulminant hepatitis: Case report and review of the literature

Propylthiouracil (PTU), a thyroid hormone inhibitor, is widely used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Rarely, the drug has been associated with severe hepatotoxicity. We present the case of a 13-year-old girl who developed jaundice and profound liver dysfunction with rapid progression to metabolic encephalopathy while receiving PTU therapy. She died despite extensive therapeutic measures including orthotopic liver transplantation. Her rapid clinical course and fatal outcome show that in spite of regular monitoring, severe, rare, rapidly occurring complications of PTU therapy may still occur.