Cholangitis (infected bile ducts)

About Cholangitis (infected bile ducts)

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 & Diagnostics

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).

Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Lipase, MRI, Ultrasound.

Conventional treatment summary

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

Medical specialties

General Surgery

This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Cholangitis (infected bile ducts).