Episode 118.0 – Acute Cholangitis

Show Notes

Take Home Points

• Cholangitis is an acute bacterial infection of the bile ducts resulting from common bile duct obstruction and is potentially life-threatening (mortality 5-10%, acute bacterial infection of the bile ducts
• Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and while imaging can be supportive, it is frequently non-diagnostic. Look for RUQ tenderness with peritoneal signs and fever
• A normal ultrasound does not rule out acute cholangitis
• Treatment focuses on supportive care, broad spectrum antibiotics and consultation with a provider that can provide biliary tract decompression (IR, gastroenterology or general surgery)

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Radiopaedia: Acute cholangitis

Core EM: Cholangitis