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Cholangitis - MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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Cholangitis - MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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jyotirmoygamer
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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10/06/2023, 22:27 Cholangitis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

National Institutes of Health / National Library of Medicine

Home → Medical Encyclopedia → Cholangitis

URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000290.htm

Cholangitis

Cholangitis is an infection of the bile ducts, the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and
intestines. Bile is a liquid made by the liver that helps digest food.

Causes
Cholangitis is most often caused by bacteria. This can occur when the duct is blocked by something,
such as a gallstone or tumor. The infection causing this condition may also spread to the liver.

Risk factors include a previous history of gallstones, sclerosing cholangitis, HIV, narrowing of the
common bile duct, and rarely, travel to countries where you might catch a worm or parasite infection.

Symptoms
The following symptoms may occur:

Pain on the upper right side or upper middle part of the abdomen. It may also be felt in the back or
below the right shoulder blade. The pain may come and go and feel sharp, cramp-like, or dull.

Fever and chills.

Dark urine and clay-colored or pale stools.

Nausea and vomiting.

Yellowing of the skin (jaundice), which may come and go.

Exams and Tests


You may have the following tests to look for blockages:

Abdominal ultrasound

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA)

You may also have the following blood tests:

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10/06/2023, 22:27 Cholangitis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Bilirubin level

Liver enzyme levels

Liver function tests

White blood count (WBC)


Treatment
Quick diagnosis and treatment are very important.

Antibiotics to cure infection are the first treatment done in most cases. ERCP or other surgical
procedure is done when the person is stable.

People who are very ill or are quickly getting worse may need surgery right away.

Outlook (Prognosis)
The outcome is very often good with treatment, but poor without it.

Possible Complications
Complications may include:

Sepsis

When to Contact a Medical Professional


Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of cholangitis.

Prevention
Treatment of gallstones, tumors, and infestations of parasites may reduce the risk for some people. A
metal or plastic stent that is placed in the bile system may be needed to prevent the infection from
returning.

References
Fogel EL, Sherman S. Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds.
Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 146.

Sifri CD, Madoff LC. Infections of the liver and biliary system (liver abscess, cholangitis, cholecystitis).
In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of
Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 75.

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10/06/2023, 22:27 Cholangitis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Review Date 5/4/2022


Updated by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington
University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical
Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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