Eosinophilic cholangitis from almost normal appearance to the bile duct sclerosis similar to primary sclerosing cholangitis

Abstract

A 48-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of eosinophilia and liver dysfunction. Initial abdominal CT and MRI (MRCP) finding showed almost normal liver and bile duct. Liver biopsy demonstrated mild portal infiltration of lymphocytes and eosinophils. Definitive diagnosis was difficult, but we suspected autoimmune disease. Oral steroid administration was started, which led to a rapid improvement of eosinophilia and liver dysfunction. Dose reduction of steroid administration resulted in exacerbation of eosinophilia and liver dysfunction. Follow-up MRCP and ERCP study revealed biliary strictures similar to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). A second liver biopsy revealed dense infiltration composed of lymphocytes and eosinophils in the portal area. Therefore we diagnosed eosinophilic cholangitis. This is the first case of eosinophilic cholangitis, observed after changes of the bile duct from an almost normal appearance to diffuse sclerosing and narrowing similar to PSC by imaging and pathological studies.