Primary sclerosing cholangitis
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Definition
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a disease of the bile ducts both inside and outside of your liver. "Cholangitis" refers to inflamed bile ducts, while "sclerosing" describes the hardening and scarring of the bile ducts that result from chronic inflammation. Scarred bile ducts can impede the passage of bile through the ducts, compromising your liver's ability to function properly.
Abdominal pain, itchiness, yellowing of your eyes and skin, fevers and fatigue are typical signs and symptoms of bile blockages that may be due to primary sclerosing cholangitis. It's not clear what causes primary sclerosing cholangitis, although it may develop due to an autoimmune disorder. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is often associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis usually progresses slowly but invariably leads to liver disease. Medical and surgical treatments may improve the symptoms, but a liver transplant is the only cure for this condition.
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