Liver Inflammation in Crohn's Disease

The liver is interconnected with the digestive tract through the intestines. Patients with Crohn's disease often experience inflammation throughout the digestive tract. At times, Crohn's disease patients may also experience complications in the liver.

Liver Inflammation

• There are several complications connected to the liver that a Crohn's disease patient may experience. These include fatty liver disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Symptoms of liver inflammation include upper abdomen pain or fullness, fluid retention, fatigue or jaundice.

Fatty Liver Disease

• Fatty liver disease is the most common form of liver inflammation in Crohn's disease patients, according to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. Fatty liver disease is caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver. This is because of an abnormality in the liver's metabolism. Fatty liver disease is easily treated, often by the prescription of steroids.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

• Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a disease that causes severe inflammation of the liver and bile ducts. According to studies cited in the Postgraduate Medical Journal, primary sclerosing cholangitis can occur in up to 4 percent of Crohn's disease patients. Surgery or a liver transplant may be needed to overcome this disease.

Tests For Liver Inflammation

• In cases where a doctor feels a patient may be affected by liver inflammation, he may order a range of test to help in his diagnosis. These tests include blood tests, ultrasound, X-ray or liver biopsy.

Medications

• In addition to inflammation caused by Crohn's related symptoms, certain Crohn's disease medications are known to damage the liver. Long-term use of the Crohn's medication methotrexate, also known as Rheumatrex, can cause liver inflammation and scarring. Cyclosporine, a medication used to treat Crohn's-related fistulas, can cause liver inflammation.