Master Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Labs and Treatment with Picmonic for Medicine

Cholestasis due to inflammation and obliterative fibrosis leads to increased conjugated bilirubin. Cholestasis typically manifests as pruritus and jaundice.

Increased alkaline phosphatase is another marker of cholestasis commonly seen in PSC. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is also similarly elevated.

Hypergammaglobulinemia especially involving IgM is seen with PSC. This is thought to reflect the abnormalities in humoral immunity that occur in patients with PSC.

Ulcerative colitis is closely associated with PSC. Up to 90% of individuals with PSC have ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis typically presents with bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain.

PSC patients have up to a 15% chance of developing cholangiocarcinoma during their lifetime. It typically presents with worsening jaundice, abdominal pain and weight loss.

As PSC progresses it can result in scarring and nodule formation in the liver, leading to cirrhosis. When cirrhosis develops secondary to a cholestatic process, it is termed secondary biliary cirrhosis.

Liver transplant is the preferred treatment for advanced PSC. It is typically considered once a patient has developed cirrhosis or has other persistent and severe symptoms.

The inflammation of PSC can cause strictures within the bile ducts leading to severe symptoms. ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) can be done to place a stent within an obstructed bile duct, opening it and providing relief. Suggested change: The inflammation of PSC can cause strictures within the bile ducts leading to severe symptoms. Initial management includes balloon dilatation via ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) or PTC (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography). For severe strictures, placing a short-term stent via ERCP is an option, though it is associated with adverse effects such as post-ERCP pancreatitis and cholangitis/cholecystitis. Surgery is recommended if ERCP/PTC management fails.