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Cholestasis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Intrahepatic cholestasis; Extrahepatic cholestasis

Symptoms:

  • Clay-colored or white stools
  • Dark urine
  • Inability to digest certain foods
  • Itching
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain in the right upper part of the abdomen
  • Yellow skin or eyes

Signs and tests:

Blood tests may show higher than normal levels of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase.

Imaging tests are used to diagnose this condition. Tests include:

  • CT scan of the abdomen
  • MRI of the abdomen
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (can also determine cause)
  • Ultrasound of the abdomen
  • Reviewed last on: 5/23/2010
  • David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California.

References

Zollner G, Trauner M. Mechanisms of cholestasis. Clinics in Liver Disease. 2008;12:1-26.

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.

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