Secondary biliary cirrhosis is usually associated with prolonged, partial, large duct biliary obstruction due to:
It is rare in total obstruction due to carcinoma of the head of the pancreas, as death usually ensues before nodular regeneration has had time to develop.
Prolonged bile stasis results in damage to the interlobular bile ducts which is followed by scarring and cirrhosis. Secondary bacterial infection may contribute to the damage.
Rarely, ascending infection by itself, with little or no stasis, produces cirrhosis. Enteric organisms, such as coliforms and enterococci are usually responsible.
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