Description A rare progressive ...
Description
A rare progressive disorder characterized by inflammation, thickening, and scarring of bile ducts in the liver and below the liver. The bile ducts carry bile through the liver and from the liver to the intestine. Sclerosing cholangitis scars these ducts (the cause is not known). of the scarred ducts do not clear bile, so it accumulates in the bloodstream. Continued scarring results in liver failure (cirrhosis). Sclerosing cholangitis usually occurs in people who have ulcerative colitis, a diagnosis causing colon inflammation. The only cure for sclerosing cholangitis is a liver transplant. This disorder is more common in men and is usually seen in patients 35-45 years of age.
Symptoms
Yellowing skin, yellowing of the eyes, itching, abdominal pain, abdominal pain in the right upper abdomen, malaise, loss of appetite, indigestion, enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, dark urine, light-colored stools.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests that help confirm the diagnosis include: blood tests (liver panel), abdominal ultrasound, ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), PTC (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram), liver biopsy, abdominal CT scan, MRCP (abdominal MRI/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography).
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Lipase, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound
Other Specific Tests: ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), PTC (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram), liver biopsy, MRCP (abdominal MRI/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography)
Specialists:
Gastroenterology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests that help confirm the diagnosis include: blood tests (liver panel), abdominal ultrasound, ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), PTC (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram), liver biopsy, abdominal CT scan, MRCP (abdominal MRI/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography).
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Lipase, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound
Other Specific Tests: ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), PTC (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram), liver biopsy, MRCP (abdominal MRI/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography)
Specialists:
Gastroenterology
Treatment
Treatment options aimed at reducing the damage and minimizing the symptoms include: ursodiol, antibiotics, antihistamines, and bile acid resins. Procedures to decrease the bile duct blockage include: balloon dilation and stent placement, and biliary duct surgery. The disease is progressive and the only cure is a liver transplant.