Bile duct diseases obstruct, or block, the flow of digestive juices (bile) made in the liver that break down the food we eat. Obstruction happens in the biliary tract, or the ducts that direct the bile from the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas to the small intestine. This causes toxins to back up and damage the liver.

Stones in the gallbladder that dislodge into the biliary tract is the most common cause of a blockage. Others include bile duct cancer (called cholangiocarcinoma) or scarring from infections, surgery, or inflammation.

The liver specialists at the University of Miami Health System treat all types of bile duct diseases, including chronic (ongoing) and complex conditions, such as:

• Congenital biliary development disorders: liver disease that’s present at birth (congenital) due to malformations or defects in the biliary tract. These include biliary atresia and fibropolycystic disease.
  
  
• Primary biliary cirrhosis: inflammation and destruction of the bile ducts that causes irreversible liver scarring (called cirrhosis). It’s more common in women and is associated with autoimmune diseases (overactive immune system that attacks healthy cells by mistake).
  
  
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis: inflammation in the bile duct walls (called cholangitis) that leads to hardening (called sclerosis) and narrowing. It’s associated with bacterial infections and is common in men with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

If you have symptoms of a bile duct disease, such as fatigue, greasy stools, itchy skin, weight loss, or abdominal pain in the upper right side, make an appointment with one of our hepatologists (liver specialists). We can diagnose your condition and get you on the road to healing.

Why Choose UHealth?

Researching breakthroughs in biliary duct diseases. We’re actively conducting clinical trial research for new and safer medicines for treating biliary duct diseases. We bring what we learn to you, faster.

Hepatologists trained in GI endoscopy procedures. With hepatologists trained in gastroenterology (GI) procedures, you get comprehensive care without seeing multiple specialists. We can diagnose gastrointestinal complications related to liver diseases, reducing the time it takes for treatments to begin.