Primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, immune-mediated cholestatic liver disease caused by diffuse inflammation and fibrosis that can involve the entire biliary tree. The progressive pathological process obliterates intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, ultimately leading to biliary cirrhosis, portal hypertension and hepatic failure. The cause is unknown but it is closely associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly ulcerative colitis, which occurs in about 70% of patients.