Pediatric Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Medication

  • Author: David A Piccoli, MD; Chief Editor: Carmen Cuffari, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 5, 2012
 

Medication Summary

No effective medical therapies are recognized for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Choleretic therapy with ursodiol (ie, ursodeoxycholic acid [UDCA]) has been reported to improve symptoms and biochemical abnormalities, but the long-term effect on clinical outcome remains undetermined.

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Gallstone Solubilizing Agents

Class Summary

Ursodiol enhances bile salt–dependent biliary flow. It may prove to be a valuable addition to therapy in repeated and refractory cholangitis.

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Ursodiol (URSO Forte, Actigall)

 

Also called ursodeoxycholic acid, or UDCA, choleretic therapy is used to improve bile flow, treat cholestasis, and dissolve gallbladder stones. It has been shown to promote bile flow in cholestatic conditions associated with a patent extrahepatic biliary system.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

David A Piccoli, MD  Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

David A Piccoli, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American Gastroenterological Association, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Carmen Cuffari, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology/Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Carmen Cuffari, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Robert Baldassano, MD Director, Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Robert Baldassano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Gastroenterological Association, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Fibro-obliterative cholangiopathy. Image courtesy of Dr. Kay Washington.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography performed in a patient with abnormal liver function test results shows multiple intrahepatic bile duct strictures and beading.
Double-contrast barium enema (same patient as in the previous image) shows filiform polyps and an ahaustral colon resulting from ulcerative colitis.
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram shows dilatation, stricturing, and beading of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Note the surgical clips from a previous cholecystectomy.
T-tube cholangiogram shows irregularity of the common bile duct, stricturing, beading, and dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Note a calculus in the termination of the left hepatic duct (arrow).
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography shows a normal-sized common bile duct, but strictures of both the left and right ducts are noted as well as a dilated proximal left hepatic duct.
Technetium-99m iminodiacetic acid scan shows retention of the radionuclide proximal to strictures in the distribution of the left hepatic duct. Note the lack of filling of the gallbladder because of a previous cholecystectomy. Isotope has entered the small bowel.
 
 
 
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