Intrahepatic cholestatic syndromes: pathogenesis, clinical features and management

Intrahepatic cholestasis is characterized by a decrease in bile flow in the absence of overt bile duct obstruction, resulting in the accumulation of bile constituents in the liver and blood. Various etiological factors have been incriminated including drugs, total parenteral nutrition, sepsis, pregnancy, graft-versus-host disease and systemic disorders such as sarcoidosis, amyloidosis and Hodgkin's disease. The pathogenesis of cholestasis is unclear and several mechanisms have been hypothesized, without convincing evidence that any of these play a role in clinical cholestasis. Despite the uncertainty about the pathophysiology of intrahepatic cholestasis, several forms of therapy have been employed. Ursodeoxycholic acid may relieve pruritus and lethargy, and in some cases may modify disease progression. If cholestasis persists, supportive therapy is important to maintain optimal physical and nutritional well-being. In patients with advanced liver disease associated with hepatocellular failure, liver transplantation is the only viable option.