Cholestase

Abstract

Cholestasis is a condition where too little bile gets to the duodenum. This delayed or stagnating bile flow may be caused by disturbances in bile formation, bile secretion or blocked bile drainage. The defect can be localised on different levels, from basolateral hepatocyte membrane to complete biliary duct to major duodenal papilla. Clinical signs of cholestasis include increased blood concentrations of bile acids as well as of certain enzymes typical in cholestasis, impacts on the intestine caused by less or lacking bile, and effects of bile stasis on the liver tissue. Typical symptoms include pruritus, jaundice as well as pale stool and dark urine. Sonography, CT, MRCP, ERCP, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and liver biopsy are of outstanding importance for diagnosis and differential diagnosis.