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Clinical differences between primary sclerosing cholangitis and sclerosing cholangitis with autoimmune pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: Sclerosing cholangitis (SC) with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is similar to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) with regard to cholangiographic findings, but only the former responds well to steroid therapy. This report concentrates on the clinical differences between these diseases. METHODS: The presenting complaint or abnormality, associated disease, cholangiographic findings, pancreatic changes, treatment, and clinical course were studied for several cases of PSC (n = 27) and SC with AIP (n = 20). RESULTS: SC with AIP as a diagnosis occurs abruptly with obstructive jaundice compared with PSC where diagnosis is often based on findings of asymptomatic liver test abnormalities. In addition, inflammatory bowel disease is only associated with PSC. The most prominent features of cholangiograms for the SC with AIP cases were stenosis of the lower common bile duct. However, sclerosing changes in the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts or hilar hepatic region were observed for half of the cases. Only PSC showed stage III or IV liver biopsy findings. IgG4 was significantly higher in SC with AIP. CONCLUSIONS: SC with AIP and PSC are different clinical entities.

Adult↗

Intrahepatic biliary endoscopy in sclerosing cholangitis.

Sclerosing cholangitis is usually diagnosed by clinical findings coupled with radiographic imaging of the bile ducts by ERCP. Direct imaging of both the intra- and extrahepatic biliary tree provides an opportunity to further study this disorder and its potential complications such as biliary malignancy. However, endoscopic visualization of the intrahepatic bile ducts in sclerosing cholangitis is potentially limited by the size of available cholangioscopes and the presence of strictures. Below, we report our initial results using a 0.8-mm fiberoptic endoscope placed through a partially steerable 1.8-mm guide catheter. The system allows visualization of the intrahepatic biliary tree beyond areas of stricture in the more distal ducts.

Cholangitis, Sclerosing↗

[Observations in sclerosing cholangitis].

Sclerosing cholangitis is a rare liver disease of unknown etiology with a slow but progressive course. The authors report their experience and illustrate some surgical procedures to preserve bile duct patency in view of a liver transplantation program.

Cholangitis, Sclerosing↗

Cholangiography can discriminate sclerosing cholangitis with autoimmune pancreatitis from primary sclerosing cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: Sclerosing cholangitis with autoimmune pancreatitis has a cholangiographic appearance that is similar to that of primary sclerosing cholangitis, but only the former responds well to corticosteroid therapy. It, therefore, is necessary to distinguish between these two diseases. Cholangiography is the reference standard for the diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis. The present study compared the characteristic findings for these two types of sclerosing cholangitis. METHODS: Cholangiograms from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (n = 29) and sclerosing cholangitis with autoimmune pancreatitis (n = 26) were studied with regard to length and region of stricture formation, and other characteristic findings. RESULTS: Band-like stricture, beaded or pruned-tree appearance, and diverticulum-like formation were significantly more frequent in primary sclerosing cholangitis. In contrast, segmental stricture, long stricture with prestenotic dilatation and stricture of the distal common bile duct were significantly more common in sclerosing cholangitis with autoimmune pancreatitis. Discriminant analysis based on these findings correctly identified 27 of 28 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and 25 of 26 patients with sclerosing cholangitis with autoimmune pancreatitis. It also identified a patient with an incorrect diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis who proved, on review of a surgical specimen, to have findings consistent with lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing cholangitis. CONCLUSIONS: Characteristic cholangiographic features allow discrimination of sclerosing cholangitis with autoimmune pancreatitis and lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing cholangitis without pancreatitis from primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Adult↗

Ursodiol for primary sclerosing cholangitis. Mayo Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis-Ursodeoxycholic Acid Study Group.

BACKGROUND: There is no satisfactory medical therapy for patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Ursodiol (ursodeoxycholic acid) benefits patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, another cholestatic liver disease. METHODS: From May 1989 to July 1995, we enrolled 105 patients with well-documented primary sclerosing cholangitis in a randomized, double-blind study comparing ursodiol (13 to 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day in divided doses) with placebo. The primary outcome was the time to treatment failure, defined as death; liver transplantation; histologic progression by two stages (of four) or progression to cirrhosis; the development of varices, ascites, or encephalopathy; sustained quadrupling of the serum bilirubin concentration; marked worsening of fatigue or pruritus; inability to tolerate the drug; or voluntary withdrawal from the study. RESULTS: We analyzed data on the 51 patients in each group with at least 3 months of follow-up; the median follow-up was 2.2 years. There was no significant difference between the groups in time to treatment failure (relative risk of treatment failure in the ursodiol group, 1.01; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.6 to 1.7). During the first two years of follow-up, treatment was unsuccessful in 17 of 32 patients (53 percent) in the placebo group and 16 of 31 (52 percent) in the ursodiol group. There were also no differences in time to treatment failure for patients with early-stage disease or in time to liver transplantation. Ursodiol, but not placebo, was associated with improvement in serum alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, and albumin levels at one and two years. CONCLUSIONS: In a group of patients with well-defined primary sclerosing cholangitis, ursodiol provided no clinical benefit.

Adult↗

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis: a comparison to primary sclerosing cholangitis.

OBJECTIVES: The natural history of secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SSC) is ill-defined. In order to better determine the natural history of this condition, we retrospectively reviewed data from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. We also compared the natural history of patients diagnosed with SSC to a cohort with a diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). METHODS: We used a computer-assisted search to identify patients with a diagnosis of SSC seen from 1992 to 2002. The diagnosis was confirmed by chart review and information about age, gender, etiology, therapy, and clinical course was sought. We excluded those presumed SSC patients who had a history of inflammatory bowel disease, those with malignancy at the time of diagnosis, and those who had undergone liver transplantation prior to the diagnosis of SSC. Patients with PSC matched for age, gender, and serum bilirubin level served as disease controls. RESULTS: We identified 31 patients, average age 57, (range 28-79). The causes of SSC included surgical trauma from cholecystectomy (13 patients), intraductal stones (12 patients), recurrent pancreatitis (4 patients), and abdominal injury (2 patients). Nine patients with SSC ultimately required liver transplantation and 4 patients have died. When compared to matched patients with PSC, the survival free of transplant was significantly shortened (p<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: When the long-term outcome of SSC patients was compared to matched PSC controls, the SSC patients had a poorer outcome. The natural history of SSC is characterized by a shortened life expectancy.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Recurrence of primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis after liver transplantation.

Given the usually prolonged natural history of primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis, and the relatively recent introduction of orthotopic liver transplantation, our understanding of recurrence of these autoimmune diseases after orthotopic liver transplantation has been slow to evolve. Present data suggest that after orthotopic liver transplantation, patients with primary biliary cirrhosis will have persistence of serum antimitochondrial antibodies, develop histologic lesions suggestive of recurrent primary biliary cirrhosis with a frequency in the 8% to 16% range at 2 to 5 years after orthotopic liver transplantation, but will demonstrate little if any symptomatic disease as a consequence. Although data are extremely limited, autoimmune cholangitis patients will have a similar post-transplant course (without antimitochondrial antibodies). Recurrence of primary sclerosing cholangitis remains the most controversial, however, these patients probably develop nonanastomotic intrahepatic and extrahepatic strictures more frequently than patients without primary sclerosing cholangitis, with a frequency in the 20% to 25% range at 3 to 5 years. With longer patient follow-up and additional studies, it is hoped that our understanding of recurrent autoimmune biliary diseases will grow considerably in the future.

Autoimmune Diseases↗

Surgery for segmental primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is an uncommon chronic hepatobiliary disorder, and the definitive surgical treatment for symptomatic primary sclerosing cholangitis is liver transplantation. Although some cases with primary sclerosing cholangitis treated with hepaticojejunostomy or partial hepatectomy have been reported, the indications for these procedures and their long-term results have not been well defined or studied. We present three patients with segmental primary sclerosing cholangitis, and discuss the indication of surgical treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis excluding liver transplantation. Three patients with segmental primary sclerosing cholangitis of the common bile duct and the hepatic ducts were treated by hepaticojejunostomy with partial resection of the common bile duct. We investigated clinical features such as angiography, cholangiography, and surgical treatment outcomes. It was difficult to differentiate primary sclerosing cholangitis from a cholangioma preoperatively, despite the use of cytology, angiography, and cholangiography. Two of the three patients were preoperatively suspected to have cholangioma. Segmental primary sclerosing cholangitis was diagnosed operatively. All patients were treated hepaticojejunostomy and achieved long-term survival. Although liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for primary sclerosing cholangitis, in cases of segmental primary sclerosing cholangitis, local resection of the involved structures may be curative. Resection of a discrete lesion may provide many years of survival with a good quality of life, in some cases obviating the need for liver transplantation.

Aged↗

IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis with and without hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor, and sclerosing pancreatitis-associated sclerosing cholangitis: do they belong to a spectrum of sclerosing pancreatitis?

Sclerosing cholangitis (SC) is a heterogeneous disease entity. Different etiologies such as choledocholithiasis, biliary tumor, or pericholangitis can manifest as SC. Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor (IP) is rarely associated with SC (sclerosing cholangitis associated with hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor; SC-hepatic IP), but sclerosing pancreatitis (SP) is not infrequently associated with bile duct lesions (sclerosing pancreatitis-associated sclerosing cholangitis; SP-SC). In this study, we compared the histologic changes of hepatic hilar and extrahepatic bile duct lesions of SC (7 cases), SC-hepatic IP (5 cases), SP-SC (5 cases), and typical primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) (5 cases). Histologically, all SP-SC cases showed extensive and dense fibrosis with marked lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, many eosinophils, and obliterative phlebitis. Four cases of SC showed bile duct lesions similar to those of SP-SC, whereas other three cases of SC showed milder lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, scant eosinophilic cell infiltration, and no obliterative phlebitis. All SC-hepatic IP cases showed bile duct lesions identical to those of SP-SC. Immunohistochemically, many IgG4-positive plasma cells were found in the bile duct lesions of all SP-SC cases, 4 SC cases with marked lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, and all SC-hepatic IP cases. By contrast, IgG4-positive plasma cells were scarce or hardly found in the remaining 3 SC cases and all PSC cases. In conclusion, 4 SC cases and all SC-hepatic IP cases showed bile duct lesions identical to those of SP-SC, suggesting that these three conditions may be a single disease entity. Their pathogenesis may be similar or closely related to that of SP, and in that respect they may represent an IgG4-related biliary disease. They may respond to steroid therapy as SP does.

Adult↗

Enhanced autoreactivity of T-lymphocytes in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a chronic, cholestatic liver disease in which immune mechanisms are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis. We have determined the frequencies and functional phenotypes of autoreactive T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood specimens from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and healthy adults as an indicator of autoreactivity in primary sclerosing cholangitis. We found a significant increase in the percentage of autoreactive suppressor/cytotoxic T-lymphocytes that become activated in the T-, non-T-autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in primary sclerosing cholangitis patients (p less than 0.002). Blastogenesis in autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction cultures from primary sclerosing cholangitis patients was significantly decreased (p less than 0.02), and the magnitude of the decrease correlated directly with the percentage of activated suppressor/cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (r = 0.56, p less than 0.01). The percentage of autoreactive, suppressor T-lymphocytes was increased in autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction cultures from primary sclerosing cholangitis patients (p less than 0.0001); and suppression of mitogen-induced blastogenesis by autologous concanavalin A-treated mononuclear cells was significantly enhanced. These results, which were unrelated to the histologic stage of liver disease and the presence or absence of active colitis, document the presence of an expanded population of T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis that became activated on exposure to autologous major histocompatibility antigens in the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction. We hypothesize that these autoreactive cells may be a marker or may participate as effector cells in cell-mediated autoimmunity in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Adult↗

Rapid progress of acute suppurative cholangitis to secondary sclerosing cholangitis sequentially followed-up by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.

A 66-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of right hypochondralgia and fever after colonic polypectomy. Endoscopic examination revealed purulent bile excretion from the duodenal papilla orifice; based on this finding, acute suppurative cholangitis was diagnosed. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiography revealed no abnormality in the biliary tree. However, chronic cholestasis persisted, and endoscopic cholangiography performed 4 months later disclosed a beaded appearance of the intrahepatic bile ducts; this sign is a characteristic finding of sclerosing cholangitis. This is the first report of rapid progression of acute suppurative cholangitis to secondary sclerosing cholangitis sequentially followed-up by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.

Acute Disease↗

Bacterial cholangitis causing secondary sclerosing cholangitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Although bacterial cholangitis is frequently mentioned as a cause of secondary sclerosing cholangitis, it appears to be extremely rare, with only one documented case ever reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old woman presented with an episode of acute biliary pancreatitis that was complicated by pancreatic abcess formation. After 3 months she had an episode of severe pyogenic (E. Coli) cholangitis that recurred over the subsequent 7 months on a further two occasions. Initially, cholangiography suggested the presence of extra-biliary intrahepatic abcesses while repeated investigations demonstrated development of multiple segmental biliary duct strictures. After maintenance antibiotic treatment was started, no episodes of cholangitis occurred over a 14-month period. CONCLUSIONS: Sclerosing cholangitis can rapidly develop after an episode of bacterial cholangitis. Extra-biliary involvement of the hepatic parenchyma with abcess formation may be a risk factor for developing this rare but particularly severe complication.

Abdominal Abscess↗

Features of autoimmune hepatitis in primary sclerosing cholangitis: an evaluation of 114 primary sclerosing cholangitis patients according to a scoring system for the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis.

Overlapping features between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) have previously been noted. To assess systematically similarities between these disorders, we have evaluated 114 PSC patients (36 women; 78 men), all confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), according to a scoring system proposed by The International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group for the diagnosis of AIH. The scoring system attributes positive or negative scores to the parameters sex, ratio of elevation of serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) vs. aminotransferase, serum levels of immunoglobulins and autoantibodies, viral markers, history of drug and alcohol intake, genetic factors, liver histology, and response to therapy. Two of the PSC patients (2%) obtained scores above 15 before treatment, satisfying the diagnostic criterion of "definite" AIH. Thirty-eight patients (33%) scored between 10 and 15 points and could be classified as "probable" AIH. The serum level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) was elevated in 68 patients (61% of 111 cases tested), and positive titers of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) or smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) were detected in 24 patients (22% of 111 cases tested). Thirty-five of the PSC patients (33% of 105 evaluable biopsy specimens) obtained positive scores for histological features similar to those of AIH, but the total score for histology was in the negative range in 72 patients (69%) because of the presence of biliary changes. The frequent finding of high scores in PSC patients underlines the similarities PSC may have with AIH. A modification of the scoring system, in particular by increasing the negative score for histological biliary changes, would improve its potential to discriminate between AIH and PSC.

Adolescent↗

Sclerosing cholangitis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a chronic cholestatic disease that may have an autoimmune basis. Most patients have a circulating antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody that appears to be targeted against a 50-kD nuclear envelope protein. The clinical applications of this antibody have not yet been defined. Other autoantibodies directed against antigens, such as cathepsin G, elastase, and anticardiolipin, may also be detected in some patients. It is suggested that primary sclerosing cholangitis may have a bacterial cause. Helicobacter gene sequences have been detected in liver tissues in primary sclerosing cholangitis. The role of Helicobacter spp and other bacteria in the etiopathogenesis of primary sclerosing cholangitis remains to be determined. Primary sclerosing cholangitis may overlap with autoimmune hepatitis in some cases, although the real prevalence of this association remains to be determined. Many prognostic models have been created, but they lack cross-validation, and their clinical usefulness remains limited. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography remains the gold standard for diagnosis, but magnetic resonance imaging may be a viable alternative in many cases. Clinical trials with cladibrine, pentoxifylline, and budesonide have failed to demonstrate benefits. Orthotopic liver transplantation remains the only effective treatment.

Journal Article↗

Primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is now being recognized as the underlying cause of liver disease with increasing frequency. This is due to the widespread use of cholangiography especially endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Hepatic histology shows a spectrum of changes and is diagnostic in only a minority of patients. Several distinct clinical presentations of primary sclerosing cholangitis are now recognized. While most patients present with a cholestatic illness and acute cholangitis, a proportion simulate chronic active hepatitis, cryptogenic cirrhosis or primary biliary cirrhosis. Some patients are entirely asymptomatic. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (predominantly ulcerative colitis) and a variety of fibrosing diseases. Approximately 3 percent of patients with ulcerative colitis develop primary sclerosing cholangitis. The prognosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis is variable; it can no longer be regarded as an invariably progressive cholestatic disease. Patients may remain asymptomatic or enjoy remissions lasting many years. Treatment for the disease remains unsatisfactory despite attempts with numerous medical and surgical measures.

Adult↗

Primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a condition of unknown cause. It is recognized by liver dysfunction and its characteristic radiologic appearance, which is related to portal tract inflammation, bile duct proliferation, and periductal fibroses involving small intrahepatic and large extrahepatic ducts. The disease lasts about 10 years from the time of diagnosis. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is recognized by abnormal results on routine liver function tests or by the development of clinical jaundice. An autoimmune cause has been suggested because of its strong association with inflammatory bowel disease, certain antigens, AIDS, and immunoregulatory abnormalities. Results of medical management of sclerosing cholangitis have been disappointing. Immunosuppressive drugs, copper chelating agents, and antibiotics have failed to alter progression of the disease. Colectomy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease also has no influence. The judicious use of dilations of strictures, bypass procedures, or resection can palliate jaundice in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, but liver transplantation is the definitive treatment. Because palliative operations increase the hazards of liver transplantation, percutaneous dilations and stentings are preferred initially. Cirrhosis and portal hypertension are indications for transplantation. In the future, transplantation may be indicated earlier in the course of the disease.

Cholangitis, Sclerosing↗

Primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare disease of unknown etiology. Sclerosis of the bile ducts may actually be the final result of multiple factors such as autoimmune, bacterial, congenital, drug, or viral injury. The most commonly associated diseases are ulcerative colitis and chronic pancreatitis. Except in the earliest stages of the disease, liver histologic findings are not specific. Most patients present with jaundice, pain, and pruritus, although an increasing number of asymptomatic patients with inflammatory bowel disease and abnormal liver function are being identified. Cholangiography is key to the diagnosis and is usually pathognomonic except in the unusual case where primary sclerosing cholangitis is confused with cholangiocarcinoma. Many forms of medical therapy have been tried, including antibiotics, azathioprine, cholestyramine, colchicine, cyclosporine, D-penicillamine, steroids, and ursodeoxycholic acid. To date, none of these medications has been proved to alter the course of this disease. Recent reports of ursodeoxycholic acid trials have been encouraging, but long-term results of ongoing randomized trials have yet to be published. In recent years, balloon dilatation of biliary strictures has been accomplished via endoscopic and percutaneous transhepatic approaches. However, in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, these nonoperative manipulations must be done repeatedly, may entail multiple general anesthetics, and are difficult to perform. We believe that a direct surgical approach to the biliary tree with long-term transhepatic stenting is indicated in selected patients with severe hilar or extrahepatic stricturing, persistent jaundice or recurrent cholangitis, and no evidence of cirrhosis. Hepatic transplantation should be reserved for patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis who have well-established cirrhosis and have not responded to other therapeutic measures.

Cholangitis, Sclerosing↗

Sarcoidosis, sclerosing cholangitis, and chronic atrophic autoimmune gastritis: a case of infiltrative sclerosing cholangitis.

We report a patient in whom sarcoidosis coexisted with sclerosing cholangitis and chronic atrophic autoimmune gastritis. There are some autoimmune diseases associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis; the difference between sarcoidosis and all other autoimmune diseases associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis is the ability of the former to damage the biliary tree. Moreover, when sarcoidosis behaves like cholestasis it can damage the biliary tree, mimicking primary sclerosing cholangitis, with high immunoglobulin M but without inflammatory bowel disease and p-ANCAs negative. We believe that it should be regarded as a single disease "infiltrative sclerosing cholangitis" because this is not a primary disease and sarcoidosis would be responsible for a beaded biliary tree.

Adult↗