Recurrent Pyogenic Cholangitis Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Willis Parsons, MD; Chief Editor: Julian Katz, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 23, 2010
 

History

Patients may present with the following: (1) an acute attack of cholangitis, (2) a history of recurrent attacks of cholangitis typified by fevers and right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain, or (3) complications of pyogenic cholangitis. As the disease progresses, patients may develop cholangiocarcinoma and present with constitutional symptoms, including weight loss, easy fatigability, and jaundice.[1, 2]

  • Roughly one third of patients present with an initial episode of RPC. The typical presentation is a patient older than 30 years who is from an endemic region and reports with complaints of fevers, RUQ abdominal pain, and jaundice (Charcot triad). Atypical presentations without all of the components of the triad are somewhat infrequent but may confound the diagnosis, and a high index of suspicion for RPC in the appropriate setting cannot be overemphasized.
  • Patients who have experienced recurrent episodes typically report 1-2 episodes of fevers, jaundice, and RUQ abdominal pain per year and a history of prior biliary surgery, endoscopic procedures, or percutaneous biliary drainage procedures.
  • Patients may present to the hospital with any sequelae of the complications of RPC, including gram-negative bacteremia/sepsis and organ failure. Perforations of the bile duct can occur with rupture into potential spaces, including the pericardium and the peritoneum. Acute pancreatitis is an infrequent but often-described consequence of recurrent bouts of pyogenic cholangitis. In patients presenting with acute pancreatitis, the pain may be in the epigastrium, as opposed to the RUQ. A pyogenic hepatic abscess may be one presentation of RPC, as is biliary malignancy.
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Physical

No specific physical findings are evident in RPC. The history is cardinal in prompting the diagnosis.

  • Patients often appear ill, frequently are jaundiced, and usually have tenderness in the RUQ of the abdomen. Not infrequently in RPC, upon careful physical examination, an enlarged tender gallbladder can be palpated in the RUQ.
  • Other findings are specific to local and systemic complications of RPC, which can include the following:
    • Rupture into the peritoneum can precipitate an acute abdomen.
    • Rupture or fistulization into the abdominal wall often presents with pus drainage from cutaneous fistulae.
    • Rupture into the pericardium may present with tamponade.
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Causes

The underlying mechanism of RPC is unclear. Most experts believe that RPC is initiated by helminthic infection of the bile ducts and/or sludge/stone formation from deficient glucuronidation as a consequence of profound malnutrition. The initial insult(s) to the bile ducts precipitates a cycle of biliary stone formation and infection that results in recurrent episodes of pyogenic cholangitis.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Willis Parsons, MD  Medical Director of the GI Center, Northwest Community Hospital

Willis Parsons, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Anil Minocha, MD, FACP, FACG  Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy, Professor of Medicine, Director of Digestive Diseases, Medical Director of Nutrition Support, Medical Director of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Internal Medicine Department, University of Mississippi Medical Center

Anil Minocha, MD, FACP, FACG is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Forensic Examiners, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

James L Achord, MD  Professor Emeritus, Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Mississippi School of Medicine

James L Achord, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Mississippi State Medical Association, New York Academy of Sciences, Sigma Xi, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP  Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, and Society of General Internal Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital of the Medical College of Pennsylvania

Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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