biliary cirrhosis

cirrhosis /cir·rho·sis/ (sĭ-ro´sis) a group of liver diseases marked by interstitial inflammation of the liver, loss of normal hepatic architecture, fibrosis, and nodular regenerationcirrhot´ic

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alcoholic cirrhosis  a type in alcoholics, due to associated nutritional deficiency or chronic excessive exposure to alcohol as a hepatotoxin.

atrophic cirrhosis  a type in which the liver is decreased in size, seen in posthepatic or postnecrotic cirrhosis and in some alcoholics.

biliary cirrhosis  a type due to chronic bile retention after obstruction or infection of the major extra- or intrahepatic bile ducts (secondary biliary c.), or of unknown etiology (primary biliary c.), and sometimes occurring after administration of certain drugs.

cardiac cirrhosis  fibrosis of the liver, probably following central hemorrhagic necrosis, in association with congestive heart disease.

fatty cirrhosis  a form in which liver cells become infiltrated with fat.

Laënnec's cirrhosis  a type associated with alcohol abuse.

macronodular cirrhosis  a type that follows subacute hepatic necrosis due to toxic or viral hepatitis.

metabolic cirrhosis  a type associated with metabolic diseases, such as hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, glycogen storage disease, galactosemia, and disorders of amino acid metabolism.

portal cirrhosis  Laënnec's c.

posthepatitic cirrhosis  a type (usually macronodular) that is a sequel to acute hepatitis.

postnecrotic cirrhosis  macronodular c.

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biliary cirrhosis

n.

Cirrhosis due to obstruction or infection of the bile ducts.

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biliary cirrhosis

Etymology: L, bilis + kirrhos, yellow-orange, osis, condition

an inflammatory condition in which the flow of bile through the ductules of the liver is obstructed. Primary biliary cirrhosis most commonly affects women in their middle years and is often associated with antimitochondrial antibodies. Its cause is unknown. It is characterized by itching, jaundice, steatorrhea, and enlargement of the liver and spleen. The disease is slowly progressive. Treatment includes ursodeoxycholic acid. Care must be taken to rule out secondary biliary cirrhosis caused by obstruction of the biliary structures outside the liver, because the latter condition can be treated more successfully. Compare biliary calculus, biliary obstruction.