The Association between Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Adult Celiac Disease

Cristian Gheorghe, Liana Gheorghe, Alexandra Constantinescu, Gabriela Aposteanu, Gabriel Becheanu, Costica Aloman, Oana Stan, Alexandru Oproiu

Center of Gastroenterology Fundeni Hospital, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine, Bucharest

Abstract

The association between primary sclerosing cholangitis and celiac disease is uncommon, only a few cases being described in the literature. We report the case of a 26-year-old male patient admitted in our department for clinical and biochemical signs of cholestasis, chronic diarrhea, fatigue and weight loss. The diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis was made by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography which showed strictures and irregularities of the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts with prestenotic dilatations. The jejunal biopsy findings were consistent with celiac disease. The gluten-free diet was followed by the regression of diarrhea and by ponderal gain; PSC remained clinically and biochemically stable under ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. The case offered us the opportunity to discuss the rare association between the two diseases.