Ischaemic cholangiopathy and sickle cell disease

Eur J Pediatr. 2006 Feb;165(2):112-3. doi: 10.1007/s00431-005-0005-z. Epub 2005 Oct 8.

Abstract

We report a case of a 6-year-old girl of Afro-Caribbean origin, known to have sickle cell disease (SCD), with recurrent history of jaundice and abdominal pain. She was extensively investigated, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which revealed diffuse cholangiopathy of both extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts. A pigtail stent was placed and balloon dilatation was performed for stricture of the extrahepatic duct. Since then, she remains well and asymptomatic. We suggest that cholangiopathy is the consequence of sickling in the end arteries of the biliary arterial tree.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / complications*
  • Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic / blood supply*
  • Catheterization
  • Child
  • Cholestasis / diagnosis*
  • Cholestasis / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ischemia / diagnosis*
  • Ischemia / therapy
  • Stents