Curriculum · Gastroenterology
Acute (ascending) cholangitis
What it is
Acute cholangitis is infection of the biliary tree due to obstruction. It is potentially life-threatening, and the obstructing stone in the common bile duct is the thing that has to be removed.
Causes and risk
The most common pathogens are Gram- rods: E coli, Enterobacter and pseudomonas.
How it presents
Charcot triad is the presentation: RUQ pain, jaundice and fever with chills. If it is severe, the triad becomes Reynold pentad, which is the Charcot triad plus shock and altered mental status.