Q: Which doctors treat sclerosing cholangitis?
A: Specialists like medical and surgical gastroenterologists or Hepatologists treat Sclerosing Cholangitis.
Q: What is cholangitis?
A: Cholangitis refers to inflammation of the bile ducts. This is mostly caused by bacteria because of blockage of the bile duct. It can spread to the liver.
Q: Is the patient completely cured after liver transplantation?
A: Liver transplantation increases the chances of survival in a patient with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. However, the patient may develop Sclerosing Cholangitis in the transplanted liver after sometime. In addition, the patient may suffer from complications of liver transplantation like infection and rejection.
Q: What is recurrent cholangitis?
A: This is caused by frequent bouts of bacterial cholangitis due to gallstones in the bile ducts. It is seen in Hong Kong and other South east Asian countries.
Q: What are the symptoms of a ‘cholangitis attack’?
A: ‘Cholangitis attack’ is caused by bacteria and occurs suddenly. It is just a flare up when you have primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and does not indicate that the disease is progressing. Flu like symptoms and dark urine are observed.
Q: What is the survival rate for a person with PSC after he has undergone a liver transplant?
A: The survival rate is 60% which is a good reason for a person with PSC to undergo this surgery.
