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.

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

• Sepsis

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

Images

Bile pathway

Review Date: 05/23/2010
Reviewed By: 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.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)