Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Primary biliary cirrhosis other diagnostic studies
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Other diagnostic studies for primary biliary cirrhosis include liver biopsy, which demonstrates inflammation of the bile ducts,characterized by intraepithelial lymphocytes and periductal epithelioid granulomata.
Other Diagnostic Studies
Other Diagnostic Studies
Liver Biopsy
Primary biliary cirrhosis is characterized by interlobular bile duct destruction. Histopathologic findings of primary biliary cirrhosis include:[1]
- Inflammation of the bile ducts, characterized by intraepithelial lymphocytes
- Periductal epithelioid granulomata.
A liver biopsy is necessary to determine the stage of disease.
ERCP
Abdominal ultrasound or a CT scan is usually performed to rule out blockage to the bile ducts. Previously most suspected sufferers underwent a liver biopsy, and if uncertainty remained endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP, an endoscopic investigation of the bile duct).
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dildar Hussain, MBBS [2]