Cholangitis

Introduction: Cholangitis

Cholangitis: bile duct inflammation (cholangitis). More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Cholangitis is available below.

Symptoms of Cholangitis

• Upper right-side abdominal pain
• Biliary colic - spasmodic upper abdominal pain
• Biliary colic after a fatty meal
• Pain under right shoulder blade
• Abdominal discomfort

See full list of 12 symptoms of Cholangitis

Medical Textbooks Online about Cholangitis

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Tests for Cholangitis

• X-rays - to find gallstones
• Ultrasound - to find gallstones
• See tests for gallstones

Read more about tests for Cholangitis

Wrongly Diagnosed with Cholangitis?

• Misdiagnosis of Cholangitis
• Underlying causes of Cholangitis (possibly wrongly diagnosed)

Misdiagnosis and Cholangitis

Choledochal cyst not to be overlooked: Choledochal cysts are congenital cystic dilatations of the hepatobiliary tree and usually presents before 16 years of age. Symptoms may be that of cholangitis, jaundice, pancreatitis and stone formation. Infants may present with an intra-abdominal mass. In countries where hydatid disease is endemic, this rare condition may be overlooked. Delay in the treatment of choledochal cyst maybe due to misdiagnosis as hepatitis, incomplete investigation of the abdominal pain. Early diagnosis is preferred as the cyst needs to be completely excised because of the risk of the cyst turning malignant...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Cholangitis

Causes of Cholangitis

• Gallstones
• Bile duct blockage

Read more about causes of Cholangitis

More information about causes of Cholangitis:

• Underlying causes of Cholangitis
• Cholangitis as a complication caused by other conditions
• Cholangitis as a symptom

Treatments for Cholangitis

• Bed rest
• Antibiotics
• Pain medications
• Hospitalization
• Gallstone treatments - see treatments for gallstones

See full list of 7 treatments for Cholangitis

Videos for Cholangitis

Patient Surveys for Cholangitis

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about the symptoms of your Cholangitis
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Reseach about Cholangitis

Visit our research pages for current research about Cholangitis treatments.

Clinical Trials for Cholangitis

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Cholangitis include:

• Phase II Pilot Study of Cladribine (2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine; 2-CdA) for Early Stage Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - cladribine
• Pilot Study of Budesonide for Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - budesonide
• Trial of High-Dose Urso in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Ursodeoxycholic Acid
• Differential Gene Expression of Liver Tissue and Blood From Individuals With Chronic Viral Hepatitis - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Evaluation of DHA for the Treatment of PSC - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)

See full list of 8 Clinical Trials for Cholangitis

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User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Cholangitis, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Definitions of Cholangitis:

Inflammation of the biliary ductal system (BILE DUCTS); intrahepatic, extrahepatic, or both. - (Source - Diseases Database)

Inflammation of the bile ducts - (Source - WordNet 2.1)