Cholestasis - Overview
Alternative Names
Intrahepatic cholestasis; Extrahepatic cholestasis
Definition of Cholestasis:
Cholestasis is any condition in which the flow of bile from the liver is blocked.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
There are many causes of cholestasis.
Extrahepatic cholestasis occurs outside the liver. It can be caused by:
- Bile duct tumors
- Cysts
- Narrowing of the bile duct (strictures)
- Stones in the common bile duct
- Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic tumor or pseudocyst
- Pressure on an organ due to a nearby mass or tumor
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Intrahepatic cholestasis occurs inside the liver. It can be caused by:
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Amyloidosis
- Bacterial abscess in the liver
- Being fed through a vein (IV)
- Lymphoma
- Pregnancy
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Sarcoidosis
- Serious infections that have spread through the bloodstream (sepsis)
- Tuberculosis
- Viral hepatitis
- Sjogren syndrome
Certain medications can also cause cholestasis. See: Drug-induced cholestasis
- Reviewed last on: 9/28/2008
- David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
References
Zollner G, Trauner M. Mechanisms of cholestasis. Clinics in Liver Disease. 2008 Feb;12(1).
Afdhal NH. Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 159.