[Diagnosis and therapy of cholestasis]

The submitted paper is a contribution to the problem of cholestasis from the aspect of contemporary knowledge recorded in the literature as well as the author's experience assembled in a hepatological department. The author expands on individual steps of the diagnostic procedure--is it a case of cholestasis? What type of cholestasis? The most frequent causes of intrahepatic cholestasis are discussed. The main point is a summary of therapeutic possibilities, in particular in chronic forms of cholestasis. The author emphasizes that dietary provisions are always essential, a as well as treatment of itching, malabsorption and prevention of the development of osseous changes. Drugs which are considered specific therapy are mentioned and their effect and side-effects are briefly evaluated. It appears that ursodeoxycholic acid is most promising. In the terminal stage under local conditions treatment is symptomatic in future we may be able to ensure liver transplantations which are indicated in chronic cholestasis.