Ascending cholangitis: Difference between revisions

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{{Gallbladder background}}
{{Gallbladder background}}
[[File:CBD stones.jpg|thumb|MRCP image of two stones in the distal common bile duct]]
===Causes===
===Causes===
*Choledocholithiasis
*Choledocholithiasis
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==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
===Work-up===
*Labs
*Labs
**Leukocytosis with neutrophil predominance
**Leukocytosis with neutrophil predominance
**Elevated alk phos, conj. bilirubin
**Elevated alk phos and conjugated bilirubin
**Blood culture is indicated
**Blood cultures
*Imaging
*Imaging
**[[Ultrasound: Gallbladder|RUQ Ultrasound]]
**[[Ultrasound: Gallbladder|RUQ Ultrasound]]
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***May miss small CBD stones and in acute cases CBD may not have had time to dilate
***May miss small CBD stones and in acute cases CBD may not have had time to dilate
*ERCP
*ERCP
[[File:CBD stones.jpg|thumb|MRCP image of two stones in the distal common bile duct]]
**Should be obtained to confirm the diagnosis and for possible intervention
**Should be obtained to confirm the diagnosis and to intervene


==Management==
==Management==
*Aggressive volume replacement
*Aggressive volume replacement
*Broad-spectrum parenteral [[antibiotics]] covering [[gram negatives]], [[gram positives]], 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


==References==
==Disposition==
*Admit


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Gallbladder Disease (Main)]]
*[[Gallbladder Disease (Main)]]
==References==
<References/>


[[Category:GI]]
[[Category:GI]]
[[Category:ID]]
[[Category:ID]]

Revision as of 07:15, 18 August 2015

Background

  • Also known as "ascending cholangitis"
  • Requires the presence of biliary obstruction and infected biliary tract

Anatomy & Pathophysiology

  • Gallstones are classified as cholesterol stones and pigmented stones (black and brown), and are present in approx 20% of females and 8% of males in the United States
  • These stones cause the majority of all biliary tract problems, and depending on where the stone become impacted, specific problems occur.
  • Bile flows out the gallbladder, down the cystic duct into the common bile duct, and ultimately into the 1st portion of the duodenum.
MRCP image of two stones in the distal common bile duct

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

Work-up

  • Labs
    • Leukocytosis with neutrophil predominance
    • Elevated alk phos and conjugated bilirubin
    • Blood cultures
  • 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 for possible intervention

Management

Disposition

  • Admit

See Also

References