Case Nine - Case One Flashcards
what is Cholangitis
inflammation of the bile duct
what is cholangitis typically the result of
a bacterial infection (often secondary to gallstones), but can also occur in other conditions, such as primary sclerosising cholangitis and Caroli’s syndrome
in cases where bacterial infection is the cause, what is it called
ascending cholangitis
what is acute ascending cholangitis presentation
rigors, fever, abdominal pain and jaundice
it has a high mortality and morbidity, especially in old people
what is the treatment for acute ascending cholangitis
- IV antibiotics
- urgent biliary drainage
- stenting
- surgical drainage
what are the IV antibiotics used in acute ascending cholangitis
cephalosporin - cefotaxime
how is urgent biliary drainage carried out
endoscopically - usually access to the biliary tree is gained by sphincterotomy and then stones removed with a balloon catheter.
successful in 90% of patients
what is primary sclerosing cholangitis
a condition where the intrahepatic and extra hepatic bile ducts become inflamed and damaged, developing strictures that obstruct the flow of bile out of the liver, and into the intestines
what does sclerosis refer to
the stiffening and hardening of the bile ducts
what does cholangitis refer to
the inflammation of the bile ducts
what does chronic bile obstruction eventually lead to
liver inflammation (hepatitis), fibrosis and cirrhosis
what is thought to be the cause of primary sclerosing cholangitis
combination of genetic and environmental factors. there is a strong association with ulcerative colitis, with around 70% of the cases occurring alongside pre-existing ulcerative colitis
what are the key risk factors for primary sclerosing cholangitis
male
aged 30-40
ulcerative colitis
family history
what is the presentation of primary sclerosing cholangitis
often patients are asymptomatic at diagnosis, with the problem picked up on abnormal liver function tests, however they may present with:
- abdominal pain in RUQ
- pruitis
- jaundice
- hepatomegaly
- splenomegaly
what are the investigations carried out for primary sclerosing cholangitis
liver function tests, that will show:
- raised alkaline phosphatase
- other liver enzymes and bilirubin are raised later in the disease
what is the most notable liver enzyme as with the most ‘obstructive’ pathology
alkaline phosphatase
what are the main antibodies, however they are not helpful in diagnosis or assessment
Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA)
Antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
Anti-smooth muscle antibodies (anti-SMA)
what is the diagnostic imaging investigation
MRCP
magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
what does MRCP involve
an MRI scan that gives a detailed view of the bile ducts, showing bile duct strictures in primary sclerosing cholangitis
what should be performed to assess for ulcerative colitis
colonoscopy
what is the management for primary sclerosing cholangitis
there are no treatments proven to be effective for primary sclerosing cholangitis
however, what may be used to treat dominant strictures
ERCP - endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography
what does ERCP involve
inserting an endoscope down the oesophagus, past the stomach, to the duodenum and the opening of the common bile duct.
this gives the operator access to the biliary system
strictures can be dilated. stents can be iterated to keep the ducts open. a
what are given alongside ERCP to reduce the risk of infection (bacterial cholangitis)
antibiotics are given to reduce the risk of infection
what is used in advanced disease, and what is the survival rate
liver transplant is used in advanced disease, with around d 80% survival in five years post transplantation
what are the other aspects of management
colestyramine for symptoms of pruritus (a bile acid sequestrant that reduces intestinal absorption of bile acids)
replacement of fat soluble vitamins
monitoring for complications such as cholangiocarcinoma, cirrhosis and oesophageal varies
what are the complications of primary sclerosing Cholangitis
Biliary strictures
Acute bacterial cholangitis
Cholangiocarcinoma develops in 10-20% of cases
Cirrhosis and the related complications (e.g., portal hypertension and oesophageal varices)
Fat-soluble vitamin deficiency (A, D, E and K)
Osteoporosis
wColorectal cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis
what line is commonly tested in exams
the association between ulcerative colitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma
what is IgG4 related sclerosing cholangitis
is similar to primary sclerosing cholangitis. elevated IgG4 levels in the blood are the distinguishing feature. unlikely primary sclerosing cholangitis, IgG4- related sclerosing cholangitis responds well to treatment with steroids
what is IgG4 related sclerosing cholangitis associated with
autoimmune pancreatitis
what is primary biliary cholangitis
an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the small bile ducts in the liver, resulting in obstructive jaundice and liver disease
previously known as primary biliary cirrhosis
what does primary biliary cholangitis affect
the small bile ducts inside the liver (intrahepatic ducts)
where does the inflammation affect and what does this lead to over time
there is inflammation and damage to the epithelial cells of the bile ducts (the cholangiocytes)
overtime, this can lead to obstruction of bile flow through these ducts.
what is reduced flow of bile called
cholestasis
what do the back-pressure of bile and the overall disease process lead to
liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and failure
what are excreted through the bile ducts into the intestines
bile acids, bilirubin and cholesterol
what do raised bile acids and bilirubin cause
raised bile acids cause itching and raised bilirubin causes jaundice
what does raised cholesterol cause and where is this seen
causes cholesterol deposits in the skin called xanthelasma. Xanthomas are larger nodular deposits of cholesterol in the skin or tendons. Raised cholesterol increases the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
what is responsible for the darker colour of stools
bilirubin, a lack of this results in pale stools
excretion of bilirubin via the urine causes dark urine
what is the typical presentation of primary biliary cholangitis
white woman, aged 40-60 years
often patients are asymptomatic at diagnosis, with the problem being picked up on abnormal liver function tests
what are the symptoms that they may present with
fatigue
pruitus (itching)
gastrointestinal symptoms and pain
jaundice
pale, greasy stools
dark urine
what may be found on examination with primary biliary cholangitis
Xanthoma and xanthelasma (cholesterol deposits)
Excoriations (scratches on the skin due to itching)
Hepatomegaly
Signs of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension in end-stage disease (e.g., splenomegaly and ascites)
what will liver function tests show
Raise alkaline phosphatase (the most notable liver enzyme as with most “obstructive” pathology)
Other liver enzymes and bilirubin are raised later in the disease
what are the autoantibodies relevant to primary biliary cholangitis
Anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) are the most specific to PBC and form part of the diagnostic criteria
Anti-nuclear antibodies are present in about 35% of patients
what is a non-specific blood result finding
Raised immunoglobulin M (IgM) is a non-specific blood result finding.
what are the two results for primary biliary cholangitis to remember
The two results for primary biliary cholangitis to remember are anti-mitochondrial antibodies and alkaline phosphatase. In your exams, a middle-aged white woman presenting with itching, a positive AMA and a raised alkaline phosphatase almost certainly has primary biliary cholangitis.