What is a common treatment approach for primary sclerosing cholangitis?

A common treatment approach for primary sclerosing cholangitis is the use of ursodeoxycholic acid. This medication can help improve liver function and slow the progression of liver disease in patients with this condition. Ursodeoxycholic acid works by promoting the flow of bile and reducing toxicity in the liver, thus providing symptomatic relief and potentially delaying the need for liver transplantation.

While corticosteroids can be beneficial in other inflammatory liver diseases, they are not effective in managing primary sclerosing cholangitis specifically. Antibiotics may be used to treat infections that can occur due to complications of the disease, but they do not address the underlying cholangitis or the biliary strictures. Surgical resection is not typically a treatment option for primary sclerosing cholangitis, as it usually involves multiple bile duct segments, making complete resection challenging and not curative. The focus for managing this disease is aimed at maintaining liver function and managing complications, with ursodeoxycholic acid being a central part of the treatment strategy.