Acute cholangitis

Question 1

Define acute cholangitis

Answer 1

acute bacterial infection of biliary tree/bile duct

Normally bc of obstruction

Question 2

Features of a mild acute cholangitis?

Answer 2

Obstruction w/inflam, bacterial seeding and growth in biliary tree

Question 3

Features of a severe acute cholangitis?

Answer 3

purulent biliary tree, sepsis, hypotension, multi-organ failure

Question 4

Aetiology of acute cholangitis

Answer 4

Gallstones - most common
Benign strictures (narrowed ducts, no tumours)
Sclerosing cholangitis
Malignancies

Question 5

Outline the pathophysiology of acute cholangitis

Answer 5

Obstruction = increased pressure = increased size of gaps btwn cells = bacteria-contaminated bile comes into contact w/blood = decreased Kupffer cell function and therefore decreased IgA production in bile