Acute relapsing pancreatitis induced with ursodeoxycholic acid therapy.

A case of acute relapsing pancreatitis associated temporarily with the initiation of ursodeoxycholic acid occurring in a young adult woman with a long common channel connecting her biliary and pancreatic systems and Alagille's syndrome is reported. The attacks occurred only during the period she was being treated with ursodeoxycholic acid for her symptoms of pruritus. Liver transplantation with a Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy and discontinuation of ursodeoxycholic acid therapy has been followed by no additional attacks of pancreatitis whereas episodes of acute pancreatitis were occurring on a monthly basis prior to transplant.