Medscape article - The Medical Management of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

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Full article at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/569180_7

From The Medscape Journal of Medicine

Gastroenterology - Original Articles

The Medical Management of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Posted 03/12/2008

s, MD; Levy, MD

Abstract

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare, chronic cholestatic liver

disease of uncertain etiology characterized by the destruction of the

intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic ducts through inflammation and fibrosis. This

ultimately leads to biliary complications including cirrhosis,

cholangiocarcinoma, and eventually death. Given the uncertainty surrounding the

pathogenesis of the disease, a number of different medical therapies have been

studied in the treatment of PSC. However, there currently are no effective

medical therapies known to halt the progression of disease. The only definitive

therapy for PSC is liver transplantation. This review will primarily focus on

the medical approaches that have been studied for the treatment of PSC as well

as on the management of symptoms commonly associated with the disease.