We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Primary sclerosing cholangitis: diagnosis and management.
- Authors
Charatcharoenwitthaya, Phunchai; Lindor, Keith D
- Abstract
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease caused by progressive inflammatory destruction of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, and ultimately cirrhosis. PSC occurs primarily in patients with underlying ulcerative colitis and affects primarily young to middle-aged men. PSC is believed to be an autoimmune disease mediated by immune dysregulation in patients with genetic susceptibility. One possible mechanism for the development of PSC is the homing of memory lymphocytes to the biliary tract. Cholangiography is the gold standard for diagnosis of PSC. The typical radiologic findings include multifocal strictures and dilation involving the intrahepatic or extrahepatic biliary tract, or both. Although no medical therapy has proved beneficial, a variety of agents have been tested, some of which appear promising and deserve further study. High-dose ursodeoxycholic acid may have benefit in slowing disease progression; a multicenter placebo-controlled trial is ongoing. Liver transplantation is a good option for patients with advanced PSC, although the disease can recur after successful transplantation.
- Publication
Current gastroenterology reports, 2006, Vol 8, Issue 1, p75
- ISSN
1522-8037
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11894-006-0067-8