Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis. A clinico-pathologic study.

Abstract

Authors report 6 cases of benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC), a rare disease of unknown etiology first described 30 years ago by Summerskill and Walshe, and thought to represent a study model for human cholestasis. Clinical, biochemical and pathologic findings of BRIC are briefly summarized in this paper in order to emphasize some triggering factors of the cholestatic attack (e.g., flu-like episodes and pregnancy), the diagnostic problems and the importance to avoid a surgical procedure. Finally, the 'state of the art' of the pathogenesis of BRIC is briefly summarized.