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Sclerosing cholangitis refers to swelling (inflammation), scarring, and destruction of the bile ducts inside and outside of the liver.
Alternative NamesPrimary sclerosing cholangitis; PSC
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsIn this condition, the bile ducts inside and outside the liver become narrowed and scarred.
The cause is often unknown.
The disease is often seen in patients who have:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Sarcoidosis
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Many autoimmune disorders
Genetic factors may also be responsible. Sclerosing cholangitis occurs more often in men than women. This disorder is rare in children.
Sclerosing cholangitis may also be caused by:
- Choledocholithiasis
- Toxicity from chemicals, copper, bile acids
- Infections in the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts
The first symptoms are usually fatigue, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), and itching. However, some people may have no symptoms.
Other symptoms may include:
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Enlarged liver
- Enlarged spleen
- Repeat episodes of cholangitis
Some people do not have symptoms, but blood work reveals they have abnormal liver function. The doctor will rule out diseases that cause similar problems. For example, you will be checked for stones in the gallbladder or biliary tract.
Tests that show cholangitis include:
- Abdominal CT scan
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Liver biopsy
- Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
- Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTC)
Blood tests include:
- Elevated liver enzymes (liver function tests)
Medications that may be used include:
- Cholestyramine
- Ursodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol)
- Fat-soluble vitamins (D, E, A, K)
- Antibiotics for infections in the bile ducts
- Medications that quiet the immune system (prednisone, azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate)
Surgical procedures:
- Inserting a long, thin tube with a balloon at the end to open up narrowing (endoscopic balloon dilation of strictures)
- Placement of a drain or tube for major narrowing (strictures) of biliary ducts
- Proctocolectomy(for those who have both ulcerative colitis and sclerosing cholangitis)
- Liver transplant
How well patients do varies. The disease tends to get worse over time and most patients develop:
- Biliary cirrhosis
- Liver failure
- Persistent jaundice
Some patients develop infections of the bile ducts that keep returning. Patients may have chronic liver disease that gets worse, with ascites and varices.
People with this condition have an increased risk of developing cancer of the bile ducts (cholangiocarcinoma). They should be checked on a regular basis (usually each year) with liver scans and blood tests.
Complications- Bleeding esophageal varices
- Cancer in the bile ducts (cholangiocarcinoma)
- Cirrhosis and liver failure
- Infection of the biliary system (cholangitis)
- Narrowing of the bile ducts (strictures)
- Vitamin deficiencies
Gordon FD. Primary sclerosing cholangitis. Surg Clin North Am. 2008;88:1385-1407.
Tung BY, Kowdley KV. Sclerosing cholangitis and recurrent pyogenic cholangitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2006:chap 65.
What else can I help you with?
Icd-9 code for primary sclerosing cholangitis?
The ICD-9 code for primary sclerosing cholangitis is 576.1.
What does the disease primary sclerosing cholangitis damage?
The disease primary sclerosing cholangitis damages to a person's liver. Many people do not experience symptoms. It causes inflammation of the bile ducts both inside and outside the liver.
What caused Walter Payton's death?
Payton suffered from Primary sclerosing cholangitis.
What are the condition that cholestyramine treat?
primary sclerosing cholangitis (progressive liver disease)
Does autoimmune disease attack the bile ducts?
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a typical example of an autoimmune disease involving the bile ducts
What is Primary sclerosing cholangitis?
A chronic disease in which it is believed that the immune system fails to recognize the cells that compose the bile ducts as part of the same body, and attempts to destroy them
If part of the is liver removed does the rest rejuvenate?
I've had the largest lobe of my liver removed and have been told that you never grow your liver back but it does regenerate back to full working capacity. If you know someone that is having some of their liver removed be sure to ask if it's because of PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis). I was never told and had this liver disease for 3 yrs before being told. To read more of this condition and treatments, read... http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/primary-sclerosing-cholangitis/DS00918
What killed Walter Payton?
Walter Payton died from complications stemming from Primary Sclerosis Cholangitis, or PSC, and bile duct cancer. At first diagnosis, Payton was considered eligible for a liver trans plant, but the cancer dashed this hope. PSC attacks the bile duct causing bile to back up in the liver, thus destroying it.
Full form of psc?
The full form of PSC can vary based on the context. It may stand for Public Service Commission, which is a government agency responsible for recruitment and oversight of civil service employees. It may also refer to Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a chronic liver disease.
Can you drink alcohol with PSC?
If you have Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), it's generally advised to limit or avoid alcohol consumption. Alcohol can exacerbate liver damage and complicate the condition, potentially leading to more severe liver issues. It's important to consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice regarding alcohol intake and your specific health situation.
Of what advantage is foam to liquid chemical sclerosing agent?
It makes better contact with the wall of the vein than a liquid sclerosing agent; it allows the use of smaller amounts of chemical; and its movement in the vein can be monitored on an ultrasound screen
What is sclerotherapy?
a method of treating enlarged veins by injecting an irritating chemical called a sclerosing agent into the vein
