Learn About 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.
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.
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.
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. ERCP will drain the infection, which is usually needed along with antibiotics.
People who are very ill or are quickly getting worse may need surgery right away.
BIDMC - Division Of Gastroenterology/Liver Center
Vilas Patwardhan is an Internal Medicine provider in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Patwardhan has been practicing medicine for over 18 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cholangitis. His top areas of expertise are Cholangitis, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Sclerosing Cholangitis, Liver Transplant, and Endoscopy.
Pediatric Gastroenterology
Mark Deneau is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Deneau has been practicing medicine for over 19 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cholangitis. His top areas of expertise are Sclerosing Cholangitis, Cholangitis, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Viral Gastroenteritis, and Liver Transplant. Dr. Deneau is currently accepting new patients.
Office
Kris Kowdley is a Hepatologist in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Kowdley is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cholangitis. His top areas of expertise are Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Cholangitis, Cholestasis, Liver Transplant, and Colonoscopy.
The outcome is very often good with treatment, but poor without it.
Complications may include:
- Sepsis
Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of cholangitis.
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.
Summary: Does intraductal administration of antibiotics during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), in addition to standard systemic antibiotic therapy, improve clinical outcomes in patients with acute cholangitis compared with standard systemic antibiotic therapy alone?
Summary: Open-Label Extension Study of Saroglitazar Magnesium in Participants With Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Published Date: June 11, 2024
Published By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Fogel EL, Sherman S. Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 141.
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.