Reading Time:
Pathology
Destruction of intralobular bile ducts of the liver, this causes cholestasis resulting eventually in cirrhosis
Aetiology
Autoimmune condition, commonest in women aged 30 to 65
Associated with other autoimmune conditions
Signs
Scratch marks due to pruritus, jaundice, xanthoma due to hyperlipidaemia, if progresses to cirrhosis patients may have signs of chronic liver disease
Symptoms
Often diagnosed when patient is asymptomatic with abnormal LFTs, other symptoms include lethargy, pruritus (often early symptom).
Investigations
Bloods: LFTs show raised bilirubin and ALP.
Auto-Antibody Screen: Antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) positive
Imaging: Ultrasound Abdomen may be normal, cirrhosis if advanced
Treatment
Medical: Ursodeoxycholic acid, steroids
Surgical: Liver transplantation if cirrhotic.Prognosis
If respond to Ursodeoxycholic acid - normal life expectancy
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Key Facts
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris.
Key Images
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris.
Key References
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris.