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Normal alkaline phosphatase in primary biliary cirrhosis
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|April 1, 1978
Summary
Primary biliary cirrhosis diagnosis can be challenging. This case highlights that normal serum alkaline phosphatase levels necessitate histological examination for accurate disease identification.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease.
- Diagnosis typically relies on serological markers and liver function tests.
Observation:
- A patient with primary biliary cirrhosis presented with persistently normal serum alkaline phosphatase levels.
- This biochemical finding is atypical for PBC.
Findings:
- The case underscores that serum alkaline phosphatase is not a universally reliable marker for PBC.
- Histological examination of liver biopsy proved crucial for definitive diagnosis in this patient.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the importance of integrating histological findings in diagnosing liver diseases, especially in atypical presentations.
- Suggests a need for considering alternative diagnostic pathways when standard biomarkers are discordant with clinical suspicion.