Gallbladder disease in patients with PSCs

[Guest guest]

J Hepatol. 2008

Jan 2

Gallbladder disease in patients with

primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Said K, Glaumann H, Bergquist A.

Department of

Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Karolinska University

Hospital, Huddinge, Karolinska

Institute.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gallbladder abnormalities may be part of the spectrum

in primary sclerosing cholangitis

(PSC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate

the occurrence and prognostic importance of gallbladder abnormalities in

patients with PSC. METHODS: Presence of gallbladder

abnormalities was assessed in 286 patients with PSC treated at the Liver Unit, Karolinska University

Hospital, Huddinge, between 1970 and 2005. RESULTS: One or more gallbladder abnormalities were found

in 41% of the patients. Gallstones were found in 25%

and cholecystitis in 25%. Cholecystitis among patients with extrahepatic involvement

of PSC (30% (65/214)) was significantly higher than among those with

intrahepatic involvement (9% (6/70)) (P<0.0001). A

gallbladder mass lesion with a mean size of 21 (+/-9) mm (S.D.) was found in 18

(6%) patients, in 56% (10/18) of whom it constituted gallbladder carcinoma. In 9 patients without a gallbladder mass lesion,

histological re-evaluation disclosed epithelial dysplasia

of the gallbladder. CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder disease

is common in patients with PSC. Dysplasia

and carcinoma are commonly found in gallbladder epithelium, suggesting that

regular examination of the gallbladder in PSC patients could be of value for

early detection of a gallbladder mass lesion. Cholecystectomy is recommended when such a lesion is

detected, regardless of its size.

PMID:

18222013 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Barb in Texas - Together in the Fight, Whatever it Takes!

Son Ken (33) UC 91 - PSC 99 - Tx 6/21 & 6/30/07 @ Baylor in Dallas