A Case of Emergent Surgery for Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis during Lenvatinib Therapy

Abstract

Lenvatinib is a multityrosine kinase inhibitor that rarely causes acute acalculous cholecystitis. The treatment of acute acalculous cholecystitis should carefully be selected for patients receiving lenvatinib as it can potentially delay wound healing due to inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor and receptor tyrosine kinase. In this case, a 73-year-old man was undergoing treatment with lenvatinib and pembrolizumab for locally advanced left-sided renal cancer. On the 64^th day of drug administration, the patient developed a fever and abdominal pain on the right side. Computed tomography revealed acute gangrenous cholecystitis, leading to the decision to perform a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patient had no postoperative complications. In situations where acute acalculous cholecystitis results from lenvatinib administration, emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be considered a viable treatment option.