Cholestasis (patient information)
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Cholestasis |
Cholestasis On the Web |
---|
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Meagan E. Doherty
Synonyms and Keywords: Intrahepatic cholestasis; Extrahepatic cholestasis
Overview
Cholestasis is any condition in which the flow of bile from the liver is blocked.
What are the symptoms of Cholestasis?
Symptoms of Cholestasis may include:
- Clay-colored or white stools
- Dark urine
- Inability to digest certain foods
- Itching
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain in the right upper part of the abdomen
- Yellow skin or eyes
What causes Cholestasis?
There are many causes of cholestasis.
- Extrahepatic cholestasis occurs outside the liver. It can be caused by:
- Bile duct tumors
- Cysts
- Narrowing of the bile duct (strictures)
- Stones in the common bile duct
- Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic tumor or pseudocyst
- Pressure on an organ due to a nearby mass or tumor
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Intrahepatic cholestasis occurs inside the liver. It can be caused by:
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Amyloidosis
- Bacterial abscess in the liver
- Being fed through a vein (IV)
- Lymphoma
- Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Sarcoidosis
- Serious infections that have spread through the bloodstream (sepsis)
- Tuberculosis
- Viral hepatitis
- Sjogren syndrome
- Certain medications can also cause cholestasis.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if you have:
- Persistent itching
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Other symptoms of cholestasis
Diagnosis
- Blood tests may show higher than normal levels of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase.
- Imaging tests are used to diagnose this condition. Tests include:
- CT scan of the abdomen
- MRI of the abdomen
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (can also determine cause)
- Ultrasound of the abdomen
Treatment options
The underlying cause of cholestasis must be treated.
Where to find medical care for Cholestasis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Cholestasis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- How well a person does depends on the disease causing the condition. Stones in the common bile duct usually can be removed, curing the cholestasis.
- Stents can be placed to open areas of the common bile duct that are narrowed or blocked by cancers.
Possible complications
- Diarrhea
- Organ failure can occur if sepsis develops
- Poor absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins
- Severe itching
- Weak bones (osteomalacia) and osteoporosis (due to very long-term cholestasis)
Prevention
- Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B if you are at risk.
- Avoid intravenous drug use and needle sharing.