title: A case of sclerosing cholangitis managed by a percutaneous approach.
abstract: In 1992, a 61-year-old man who complained of recurrent episodes of fever and jaundice was diagnosed as having sclerosing cholangitis. In the three years that followed, the clinical picture progressively worsened; and, in 1995, the patient was hospitalized again for biliary obstruction. A liver transplantation was excluded because of concomitant severe coronary heart disease. A percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram showed several critical strictures of the intrahepatic biliary tree and a temporary internal-external biliary drainage was placed to relieve the obstruction. After 40 days, a two-step percutaneous biliary balloon dilation was performed followed by topical steroid treatment through the catheter. After 45 days, the catheter was removed and steroid treatment tapered orally. In the three years that followed, the patient was well. He experienced only about 1-2 episodes of ascending cholangitis per year requiring antimicrobial therapy. Laboratory analysis showed a gradual improvement in hepatic chemistry, serum bilirubin, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). In our patient, the association of percutaneous balloon dilation and topical steroid treatment improved both the clinical and radiological picture, without significant side-effects. This approach should be considered a valuable and cost-effective option in primary sclerosing cholangitis, mainly for patients not eligible for liver transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tritto
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Iaccarino
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Martino
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: D'Agostino
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002404:Catheterization; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D015607:Stents
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone