Increased liver stiffness in extrahepatic cholestasis caused by choledocholithiasis

authors:

avatar Anca Trifan 1 , avatar Catalin Sfarti 1 , avatar Camelia Cojocariu 1 , avatar Mihaela Dimache 1 , avatar Maria Cretu 1 , avatar Catalin Hutanasu 1 , avatar Carol Stanciu 2 , *

1) Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2)University of Medicine and Pharmacy Gr. T. Popa. 3) Gastromedica Clinic, Romania
1) Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2) University of Medicine and Pharmacy Gr. T. Popa. 3) Gastromedica Clinic, drseo@korea.ac.kr, Romania
Hepatitis Monthly: Vol.11, issue 5; 372-375
article type: Brief Report
received: December 19, 2010
accepted: January 25, 2011

how to cite: Trifan A, Sfarti C, Cojocariu C, Dimache M, Cretu M, et al. Increased liver stiffness in extrahepatic cholestasis caused by choledocholithiasis. Hepat Mon. 2011;11(5): 372-375. 

Abstract

Background: Extrahepatic cholestasis that is caused by benign and malignant diseases has been reported to increase liver stiffness (LS), as measured by transient elastography (TE).
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate LS in patients with extrahepatic cholestasis due to choledocholithiasis before and after endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone removal.
Patients and Methods: LS was measured by TE (Fibroscan) in patients with extrahepatic cholestasis that was caused by choledocholithiasis before and 1 month after endoscopic sphincterotomy and successful stone removal.
Results: We studied 12 patients (7 females, 5 males), aged 36 to 76 years (mean age 57.1 ± 11.6 years), with extrahepatic cholestasis that was caused by choledocholithiasis. LS was increased in all patients (range: 6.2-18.4 kPa; mean: 8.9 ± 3.5 kPa) before endoscopic therapy. Successful biliary drainage was effected by sphincterotomy and stone removal in all patients, which led to a significant decline in LS to 3.9-8.1 kPa (Mean: 5.6 ± 1.2 kPa; p < 0.001) within a mean observation time of 29 days. The decrease in LS values correlated significantly with a decline in serum total bilirubin levels (r = 0.691; p < 0.0001).
Conclusions: Extrahepatic cholestasis due to choledocholithiasis increases LS and should be excluded before assesing liver fibrosis by transient elastography. 

  • Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
    In this interesting article, you will find out a new method for diagnosis of liver stiffness. Reading this article is recommended to radiologists involved in hepatology.
  • Please cite this paper as:
    Trifan A, Sfarti C, Cojocariu C, Dimache M, Cretu M, Hutanasu C, et al. Increased liver stiffness in extrahepatic cholestasis caused by choledocholithiasis. Hepat Mon. 2011;11(5):372-375.

2011 Kowsar M.P.Co. All rights reserved.

 

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