Reversible pancreatitis, hepatitis, and peripheral polyneuropathy associated with parenteral gold therapy.

A 63-year-old man with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis developed acute pancreatitis, severe hepatitis, and sensorimotor polyneuropathy after receiving 150 mg of intramuscular aurothioglucose (gold). Positive lymphocyte transformation test to gold indicated a cell mediated hypersensitivity to the drug, while multiple investigations ruled out other underlying causes for his illness. After cessation of gold therapy a complete recovery occurred.