Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis: review and long-term follow-up of five cases

Objective: Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder characterized by intermittent episodes of cholestatic jaundice. For the patients, the disease is a physical and psychological challenge. There is no curable treatment, but symptomatic relief is described following treatment with rifampicin or plasmapheresis.

Material and methods: Five patients suffering from BRIC followed up for 17 years by one consultant are described. Two patients were treated with rifampicin and plasmapheresis, two with rifampicin alone, and one with plasmapheresis.

Results: The treatments showed symptomatic relief, effect on biochemical parameters, and earlier clinical remission compared with no treatment or treatment with other substances like cholestyramine, antihistamines, and ursodeoxycholic acid.

Conclusions: Both rifampicin and plasmapheresis represent important therapeutic options of acute cholestatic attacks in patients with BRIC. As a noninvasive treatment, rifampicin may be the first choice.