Ascending cholangitis other imaging findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Anila Hussain, MD [2]

Other tests in diagnosis of ascending cholangitis include ERCP which is a gold standard test in diagnosis of acute cholangitis. It is used both for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, however, it is preferred a therapeutic drainage method. ERCP has a higher rate of complications as compared to other endoscopic procedures^[1]

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)^[2]:
  • ERCP is a procedure to examine the pancreatic and bile ducts.
  • Direct observation of obstruction or bile duct stone is possible
  • ERCP is a gold standard test in diagnosis of ascending cholangitis^[3]
  • Test of choice for patients who may need drainage
  • Also done directly in a patient with classic traid of acute cholangitis (fever, jaundice, abdominal pain)
  • Has both diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy
  • Can also be used as reference test to determine the efficacy of other methods like MRCP
  • Preferred as a therapeutic method for biliary drainage usually as compared to diagnostic
  • ERCP has a higher rate of complications as compared to other endoscopic procedures. Some common complications include bleeding, trauma, pancreatitis
• Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA).

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