Primary biliary cirrhosis and ulcerative colitis.

Four patients with ulcerative colitis also had primary biliary cirrhosis, as judged by compatible liver histology, positive serum mitochondrial antibody tests, and normal cholangiography (in the 3 patients in whom it was performed). Primary biliary cirrhosis may be another hepatobiliary association of ulcerative colitis, and although less common than primary sclerosing cholangitis should be considered as a cause of cholestasis in these patients.