Ascending cholangitis: Difference between revisions

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==Management==
==Management==
*Aggressive volume replacement
*Aggressive volume replacement
*Broad-spectrum parenteral [[abx]] covering [[gram neg]], [[gram pos]], and [[anerobes]]
*Broad-spectrum parenteral [[antibiotics]] covering [[gram negatives]], [[gram positives]], and [[anerobes]]
**[[Piperacillin/tazobactam]] OR [[ampicillin-sulbactam]] OR ([[ceftriaxone]] + [[metronidazole]])
**[[Piperacillin/tazobactam]] OR [[ampicillin-sulbactam]] OR ([[ceftriaxone]] + [[metronidazole]])
*Emergent ERCP
*Emergent ERCP

Revision as of 04:52, 21 May 2015

Background

  • Also known as "ascending cholangitis"
  • Requires the presence of biliary obstruction and infected biliary tract
  • Causes:
    • Choledocholithiasis
    • Biliary tract stricture
    • Compression by malignant disease

Clinical Features

  • Charcot's Triad: Fever + jaundice + RUQ pain
    • Occurs in ~50%
  • Reynold's Pentad: The triad + AMS + hypotension
    • Occurs in <5%
    • Hypotension may be the only presenting sign in elderly patients

Differential Diagnosis

RUQ Pain

Diagnosis

  • Labs
    • Leukocytosis with neutrophil predominance
    • Elevated alk phos, conj. bilirubin
    • Blood culture is indicated
  • Imaging
    • RUQ Ultrasound
      • Dilatation of CBD ( > 6mm) and presence of choledocholithiasis
      • May miss small CBD stones and in acute cases CBD may not have had time to dilate
  • ERCP
    • Should be obtained to confirm the diagnosis and to intervene

Management

References

See Also