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Cholestasis - Treatment

Alternative Names

Intrahepatic cholestasis; Extrahepatic cholestasis

Treatment:

The underlying cause of cholestasis must be treated.

Expectations (prognosis):

How well a person does depends on the disease causing the condition. Stones in the common bile duct usually can be removed, curing the cholestasis.

Stents can be placed to open areas of the common bile duct that are narrowed or blocked by cancers.

Complications:

Diarrhea
Organ failure can occur if sepsis develops
Poor absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins
Severe itching
Weak bones (osteomalacia) and osteoporosis (due to very long-term cholestasis)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have:

Persistent itching
Yellow skin or eyes
Other symptoms of cholestasis

Gallstones

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.

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