Eosinophilic cholangitis as an indeterminate biliary mimic: A systematic review of outcomes.
Am J Med SciJun 13, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchGastroenterology
Thomas Stirrat, Maximilien Wilkey, Varat Ransibrahmanakul et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review analyzed 55 studies involving 55 patients with eosinophilic cholangitis (EC), a rare biliary disorder that can mimic malignancies. The review found that 48.7% of cases had a preoperative suspicion of malignancy. Steroids were the primary treatment, leading to symptom resolution in 97.3% of cases and biochemical normalization in 100%.
Key findings
- 48.7% of patients had a preoperative suspicion of malignancy.
- Tissue eosinophilic infiltration was reported in 98.1% of cases.
- Steroids led to symptom resolution in 97.3% of treated patients.
- Biochemical normalization was achieved in 100% of patients with reported outcomes.
Why it matters
Eosinophilic cholangitis can be misdiagnosed as more serious conditions like primary sclerosing cholangitis or cholangiocarcinoma. Understanding its presentation and effective treatment can improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary interventions.