Cholangitis (Infected Bile Ducts)
Description
Infection of the bile duct or the entire biliary tree. The bile duct carries bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine. Cholangitis usually arises from blockage of the bile duct usually 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
A history and physical exam will be performed. Blood tests and imaging tests will be done. A CT scan, MRI or ultrasound will be performed to identify the 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).
- CBC
- Chem 12
- Lipase
- CT Scan
- MRI
- Ultrasound
Treatment
Treatment includes: intravenous antibiotics, removal of the bile blockage, and surgical removal of gallbladder.
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