[Therapeutic options for portal hypertensive biliopathy: case series and literature review].

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertensive biliopathy is an underdiagnosed condition because only some patients have symptoms. The major clinical manifestations include cholestasis and cholangitis. The aim of this study is to present a series of cases evaluated, treated and followed at a tertiary-care public institution.

CLINICAL CASE: Four patients with portal hypertensive biliopathy were exposed to different therapeutic approaches focused on the management of portal hypertension and biliary decompression. They were followed for ~5 years. Three cases achieved a favorable outcome with symptom remission, but one patient died while attempting dilatation of the bile duct. Finally, we carried out a literature review about actual portal hypertensive biliopathy therapeutics.

CONCLUSIONS

There is currently no consensus on the optimal treatment for this condition. The goal is to decompress the biliary tree. Each case should be individually evaluated to choose the best treatment option.