Glycogenic Hepatopathy in a Patient with Pancreatogenic Diabetes

Glycogenic hepatopathy is characterized by acute liver injury secondary to reversible accumulation of excess glycogen in hepatocytes. This phenomenon has been described in type 1 diabetes, with few cases reported in patients with type 2 diabetes. Glycogenic hepatopathy in the setting of pancreatogenic (type 3c) diabetes has yet to be reported. A 57-year-old female with a history of insulin-requiring pancreatogenic diabetes mellitus secondary to alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis status post distal pancreatectomy presented with recurrent admissions for abdominal pain, hyperglycemia, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), and unexplained elevation of liver transaminase levels. Glycemic control remained poor over many years with consistently elevated HbA1c in the setting of labile blood sugars, medication noncompliance, and lifestyle non-adherence. The patient was admitted to the hospital with altered mental status and markedly elevated blood glucose (1,182 mg/dL) concerning for HHS. On admission, her liver function tests (LFTs) revealed elevated alkaline phosphatase (1,011 U/L, n <150 U/L), AST (583 U/L, n <34 U/L), and ALT (517 U/L, n <55 U/L). Direct and total bilirubin were within normal limits. The patient underwent extensive workup including drug and toxin levels, autoimmune evaluation, serology for infectious causes, abdominal computed tomography scanning, right upper quadrant ultrasound, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). All laboratory workup was negative, ultrasound was unremarkable, and MRCP showed no evidence of biliary or common bile duct dilatation. Throughout her hospitalization, LFTs gradually improved with optimization of blood glucose. Less than one week later, the patient returned with blood glucose of 673 mg/dL and LFTs notable for alkaline phosphatase 789 U/L, AST 1,068 U/L, and ALT 299 U/L. Again, all testing was negative for causes of rapid increase in liver enzymes. Similar to previous admissions, her LFTs improved with resolution of hyperglycemia. Review of electronic medical record revealed a similar trend during previous admissions. The patient did not undergo liver biopsy; however, the parallel relationship of LFTs and hyperglycemia, in the absence of radiologic or laboratory evidence of alternate liver pathology, supports the diagnosis of glycogenic hepatopathy. This is the first case of glycogenic hepatopathy reported in a patient with pancreatogenic diabetes. Due to the rarity of this condition and minimal literature of its occurrence in adult non-type-1 diabetics, glycogenic hepatopathy is likely infrequently considered when evaluating patients with recurrent hyperglycemia and elevated LFTs. This case accentuates the need for further research of this condition in non-type 1 diabetics as the prognosis and management differ from other forms of acute liver injury.