Cholangitis - Treatment

Treatment:

Quick diagnosis and treatment are very important.

Antibiotics to cure infection are tried first for most patients. ERCP or other surgical procedure is done when the patient is stable.

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

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is usually good with treatment, but poor without it.

Complications:

Sepsis

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of cholangitis.

Digestive system

Bile pathway

Reviewed last on: 5/23/2010
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California.

References

Attasaranya S, Fogel EL. Choledocholithiasis, ascending cholangitis, and gallstone pancreatitis. Med Clin North Am. 2008;92(4):925-960.

Afdhal NH. Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 159.

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