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Biliary Diseases (bile obstruction)
| Biliary Atresia (congenital
disorder) |
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Biliary atresia is the congenital absence or closure of the
ducts that drain bile from the liver. It is a progressive process
that begins very soon after birth. Bile is trapped inside the liver
and rapidly causes damage and scarring to the liver cells. Further
scarring of the liver tissue may result in cirrhosis.
Diagnosis
- Jaundice after the age of 2 to 3 weeks.
- Yellow eyes and skin, light-colored stools and dark urine
- The abdomen may be swollen with a firm, enlarged liver.
- Weight loss and irritability develop as the level of jaundice
increases.
- Blood tests: increased bilirubin (a chemical marker in the
blood for jaundice).
- An ultrasound test may detect an absent or tiny gall bladder.
- HIDA scan · Liver biopsy
Treatment
Operation: Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the preferred
treatment is to perform surgery and remove the blocked biliary ducts
outside the liver and attach the small intestine directly to the
liver at the spot where bile is found or expected to drain (called
Kasai procedure).
Early diagnosis of this disease is very important.
If surgery is performed before the baby is 2 months old, success
is much more likely. About 30% are benefited permanently, 50% only
partially, whereas 20% are not benefited by operation. For those
who do not respond to corrective surgery, the liver damage continues
and cirrhosis develops. Progressive cirrhosis will eventually require
liver transplantation.
Liver transplantation plays an important role in the
long-term treatment of biliary atresia. Pediatric liver transplantation
has evolved into a highly successful therapy and now offers significant
hope for all children born with biliary atresia.
| Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
(PBC) |
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Primary biliary cirrhosis
is a liver disease that slowly destroys the bile ducts in the liver.
Bile, a substance that helps digest fat, leaves the liver through
these ducts. When the ducts are damaged, bile builds up in the liver
and damages liver tissue. Over time, the disease can cause cirrhosis
and may make the liver stop working.
The cause of primary biliary cirrhosis is unknown.
The disease affects women more often than men, and usually occurs
between the ages of 30 and 60 years. Some research suggests that
the disease might be caused by a problem within the immune system.
The most common symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis
are itchy skin and fatigue. Other symptoms include jaundice (yellowing
of the eyes and skin), cholesterol deposits on the skin, fluid retention,
and dry eyes or mouth. Some people with primary biliary cirrhosis
also have osteoporosis, arthritis, and thyroid problems.
Primary biliary cirrhosis is diagnosed through laboratory
tests, x rays, and in some cases, a liver biopsy (a simple operation
to remove a small piece of liver tissue). Treatment may include
taking vitamin and calcium supplements, hormone therapy, and medicines
to relieve symptoms. Ursodiol is beneficial for patients with primary
biliary cirrhosis although it does not cure the disease. A liver
transplant may be necessary if the liver is severely damaged.
| Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
(PSC) |
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In primary sclerosing
cholangitis (PSC), the bile ducts inside and outside the liver become
inflamed and scarred. As the scarring increases, the ducts become
blocked. The ducts are important because they carry bile out of
the liver. Bile is a liquid that helps break down fat in food. If
the ducts are blocked, bile builds up in the liver and damages liver
cells. Eventually, PSC can cause liver failure.
Researchers do not know what causes PSC. Among the
theories under investigation are the possible role of bacteria,
viruses, and immune system problems. PSC appears to be associated
with ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease.
The disease usually begins between ages 30 and 60,
but the disease can also arise during childhood. PSC is more common
in men than women. PSC progresses slowly, so a person can have the
disease for years before symptoms develop. The main symptoms are
itching, fatigue, and jaundice, which causes yellowing of the eyes
or skin. An infection in the bile ducts can cause chills and fever.
PSC is diagnosed through cholangiography, which involves
injecting dye into the bile ducts and taking an x ray. Cholangiography
can be performed as an endoscopic procedure (endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography, ERCP), through radiology or surgery, or
with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Treatment includes
medication to relieve itching, antibiotics to treat infections,
and vitamin supplements, as people with PSC are often deficient
in vitamins A, D, and K. In some cases, surgery to open major blockages
in the common bile duct is also necessary. Liver transplantation
may be an option if the liver begins to fail.
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