Show AllThe causes of primary sclerosing cholangitis are not known, but many researchers think it might be an autoimmune disease. When the immune system is working correctly, it protects the body from infections caused by bacteria and viruses.
In the case of an autoimmune disease, the body does not recognize certain cells and body parts as part of itself. The body then goes to war against itself, damaging the body part it thinks is foreign.
In many cases, primary sclerosing cholangitis occurs along with a type of inflammatory bowel disease in which the colon becomes inflamed and develops ulcers, but it may also be associated with cystic fibrosis or other disorders of the immune system.
Since primary sclerosing cholangitis progresses slowly, a person can have the disease for years before symptoms develop. Symptoms are caused by two things: the bile is not being drained properly through the bile ducts and the liver is damaged and not able to carry out its usual functions.
The main symptoms are:
- Itching (may occur when toxins in bile get into the bloodstream)
- Fatigue (when you feel tired all the time)
- Jaundice (causes yellowing of the eyes or skin; the color change is due to bile that gets in the blood and eventually in the skin and eyes)
- Fever, chills and soreness in the upper part of the stomach (caused by infected bile ducts)
As the disease progresses, chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss and continued jaundice may occur. In the advanced stages, swelling can occur in the stomach and feet. Liver failure may take many years to develop.
Since people with primary sclerosing cholangitis may not have noticeable symptoms for many years, the disease often is suspected due to abnormal blood tests (taken for other reasons) that show a high level of liver enzymes (which indicate abnormal liver function). The disease also might be suspected due to a history of inflammatory bowel disease.
X-ray techniques can reveal whether bile ducts are blocked; however they may not be able to determine the cause or site of the possible obstruction.
Sclerosing cholangitis is diagnosed by injecting dye into the bile ducts and taking an x-ray. The test can determine the cause and site of the blockage.
After the child is sedated (given medication that has a soothing and calming effect), a lighted and flexible endoscope (instrument used to visually examine the inside of certain body parts) is inserted through the mouth, stomach and then into the small intestine.
A thin tube is placed through the scope and into the pancreatic and bile ducts, and the dye is injected to show the bile ducts on the x-ray. If the x-ray shows the bile ducts are narrowed, the doctor diagnoses the problem as primary sclerosing cholangitis.
As the disease progresses, a liver biopsy usually is needed to determine how much liver damage has occurred.
Currently there is no cure for primary sclerosing cholangitis. Treatment is directed at managing symptoms and opening narrowed bile ducts. Symptoms of this disease can sometimes be managed by:
- Antibiotics to treat bile ducts that have become infected
- Diets low in salt and medication to treat swelling of the stomach and feet caused by fluid retention
- Vitamin supplements since people with primary sclerosing cholangitis often do not have enough vitamins A, D and K
- Medications (such as Cholestyramine" and Ursodiol") to control itching caused by too much bile in the bloodstream, and to improve bile flow
Endoscopic or surgical procedures may be used to open major blockages in bile ducts. A catheter is a thin, flexible tube used to drain bile from the ducts and relieve the obstruction.
A prosthesis (artificial device in the form of a hollow tube) may be placed in the bile ducts after they have been opened in order to keep the ducts open. Some patients may undergo surgery in order to explore the bile ducts and open major blockages.
Liver transplantation may be an option if the liver begins to fail. Liver transplantation is very effective in the treatment of patients with advanced liver disease caused by primary sclerosing cholangitis.
If a transplant is the best treatment option, the care team will focus on preventing complications and treating symptoms while awaiting a donated liver.
If a liver transplant is the best treatment option, the doctor and the other members of the patient care team will focus on preventing complications and will treat symptoms while waiting for the donated liver.
Sclerosing cholangitis is a disease that continues to advance and tends to become more severe over time.
Medication does not have a major impact on slowing the progression of primary sclerosing cholangitis, but it has an important role in treating complications. For instance, Ursodiol" can help stop itching, but it does not help a patient survive longer, and it does not delay the time to referral for liver transplant.
Children with primary sclerosing cholangitis account for about 2 percent of all liver transplants done in children. Liver transplantation is successful in 90 percent of these patients, who go on to have a good quality of life after recovery.
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
