Bile Duct Diseases Summary Your liver makes a digestive juice called bile. Your gallbladder stores it between meals. When you eat, your gallbladder pushes the bile into tubes called bile ducts. They carry the bile to your small intestine. The bile helps break down fat. It also helps the liver get rid of toxins and wastes. Different diseases can block the bile ducts and cause a problem with the flow of bile: Gallstones, which can increase pressure in the gallbladder and cause a gallbladder attack. The pain usually lasts from one to several hours. Cancer Infections Birth defects, such as biliary atresia. It is the most common reason for liver transplants in children in the United States. Inflammation, which can cause scarring. Over time, this can lead to liver failure. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Encyclopedia 5′-nucleotidase Abdominal MRI ALP isoenzyme test Antimitochondrial antibody Bile culture Biopsy – biliary tract Fecal fat Gallbladder radionuclide scan Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram Sclerosing cholangitis Diagnosis and Tests ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry AMA Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Bilirubin Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry HIDA Scan (Cholescintigraphy) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) Array Understanding EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasonography) American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Array ALP – blood test Bile duct obstruction Biliary atresia Biliary obstruction – slideshow Biliary stricture Cholangitis Cholestasis Endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) – slideshow ERCP Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) blood test Primary biliary cirrhosis Find an Expert American Liver Foundation American Liver Foundation ASGE: Find a Doctor American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology Find a Gastroenterologist American College of Gastroenterology National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Treatments and Therapies Bile Duct Exploration Cleveland Clinic Foundation Understanding ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Specifics Bile Reflux Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Primary Biliary Cirrhosis National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Children Biliary Atresia National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Related Issues Biliary Tract Disorders, Gallbladder Disorders, and Gallstone Pancreatitis American College of Gastroenterology Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Bile Duct Diseases National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Cholangitis National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Cholestasis National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary National Institutes of Health Videos and Tutorials Diagnosing & Treating Digestive Tract Disorders Endoscopically OR-Live Genetics Genetics Home Reference: Alagille syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: primary sclerosing cholangitis National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis National Library of Medicine Journal Articles Bile Duct Diseases Reference Desk Your Digestive System and How It Works National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
