Prospective sonographic evaluation of interleukin-2-induced changes in the gallbladder.

PURPOSE: To describe the changes in the gallbladder induced by interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy and to correlate the findings with the clinical course.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Twenty-five men with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were examined prospectively with right upper quadrant ultrasonography (US) before and after receiving IL-2 therapy. Four patients also underwent US after a second course of IL-2. The gallbladder was evaluated for wall thickening, echotexture, and intramural and pericholecystic fluid. Correlation was made between the clinical signs and symptoms, IL-2 dose, CD4 cell count, and the US appearance of the gallbladder.

RESULTS

There was significant correlation between symptoms of right upper quadrant pain during IL-2 therapy and US abnormalities of the gallbladder, including an increase in wall thickening (P = .012) and the development of intramural (P = .015) and pericholecystic (P = .006) fluid. More severe abnormalities were seen with higher IL-2 doses. All symptoms resolved with cessation of IL-2 therapy. In patients who underwent repeat US, the gallbladder reverted to a normal appearance. No correlation was found between the CD4 cell count and the development of symptoms or the US appearance of the gallbladder.

CONCLUSION

IL-2-induced changes resolve rapidly with cessation of therapy, and no surgical intervention is needed. These changes can be avoided or reduced by decreasing the IL-2 dose during subsequent cycles.