Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Sclerosing cholangitis

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Primary sclerosing cholangitis; PSC


Symptoms

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

Signs and tests

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)

Review Date: 07/06/2009
Reviewed By: George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)