Cholangitis overview
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
Cholangitis is a clinically defined syndrome of fever, right upper quadrant pain and jaundice caused by infection of bile and inflammation of the biliary tree, usually due to obstruction and stasis.
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
The classical clinical manifestation of Cholangitis is described by Charcot's triad and includes fever, right upper quadrant pain, and jaundice. In suppurative cholangitis hypotension, and confusion can occur. The pentad of presentation is then called as Reynold's pentad. Reynold's pentad is associated with significant morbidity, and mortality.
Laboratory Findings
Laboratory tests provide useful clues in the diagnosis of cholangitis. Some commonly conducted tests are complete blood count, basic metabolic panel, liver function tests, blood culture, and other body fluid culture.
CT
CT has a higher sensitivity (63%) and is better to localize the site of obstruction.