Cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts)

Description Infection of the bi...

Description

Infection of the bile ducts or the entire biliary tree. The bile ducts carry bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine. Cholangitis usually arises from a blockage of the bile duct from a gallstone. Once blocked, the bile duct then becomes infected. This disorder is very serious and can be fatal if not treated.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain (upper right abdomen), vomiting, fever, yellowing skin, low blood pressure.

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Blood tests and imaging tests will be done. A CT scan, MRI and/or ultrasound may be performed to identify the location and cause of the bile blockage. Other tests that may be used include endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA).

Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Lipase, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound

Other Specific Tests: ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography), Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), Blood cultures

Specialists:
General Surgery

Treatment

Treatment may include: intravenous antibiotics, removal of the bile blockage, and surgical removal of gallbladder.