Vanishing Bile Duct Syndrome in an Adult Patient: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Paolo Izzo, Gaetano Gallo, Massimo Codacci‐Pisanelli, Giuliano D’Onghia, Leonardo Macci, Raimondo Gabriele, Andrea Polistena, Luciano Izzo, Sara Izzo, Luigi Basso
Abstract
Vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) is a rare condition characterized by progressive loss, destruction, and disappearance of the intra-hepatic bile ducts, leading to cholestasis and ductopenia. The exact mechanism of development of VDBS has not been established yet. Diagnosis of VBDS mainly relies on clinical and disease related presentations, but liver biopsy is compulsory for diagnosis. Due to the low incidence reported in the literature, a standardized treatment of VDBS has not been established; hence, this rare condition must be managed at a tertiary liver referral center. Here, we report the management and treatment of VBDS of an 81-year-old woman without any history of exposure to antibiotics, neoplasms, etc.