title: Primary sclerosing cholangitis: evolving concepts in diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: Primary sclerosing cholangitis is an increasingly recognized cause of chronic cholestatic liver disease. The etiology is unknown, although a number of immunologic and nonimmunologic factors have been considered. The most important diagnostic findings are diffuse irregularity and narrowing of extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts. The prognosis varies, and a number of relatively unique complications may develop. No adequate treatment exists, although a number of potential treatments have been evaluated. Liver transplantation still remains the most appropriate treatment for end-stage disease. These various topics related to primary sclerosing cholangitis are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Harnois
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Lindor
mesh_terms: D017734:Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic / Q000473:pathology; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000473:pathology; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D011379:Prognosis