Adult celiac disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis: two case reports

The association of primary sclerosing cholangitis and celiac disease is uncommon. Herein, we report on 2 different cases which developed this association. Case 1 was a 59 year-old female who firstly complained of symptoms of cholestasis. The diagnosis of primary cholangitis was made on liver biopsy, and the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed narrowing and irregularity of the extra- and intrahepatic bile ducts. The results were positive for antiendomysial antibodies and the jejunal biopsy confirmed the coexistence of celiac disease, which was asymptomatic until that moment. The gluten-free diet ameliorated the index of cholestasis. Case 2 was an old man suffering from undiagnosed celiac disease for at least 5 years prior to admission at our Department. The diagnosis was based on the histological examination of a jejunal biopsy. The patient did not follow the gluten-free diet and was again admitted to our Department 6 years later with symptoms of cholestasis. The liver biopsy and ERCP confirmed the diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis.