About Ascending Cholangitis
Ascending Cholangitis is an unusual complication of gallstones and occurs when stones become impacted within the common bowel duct itself and there is a resultant infection that extends from the gut up into the liver. The patient experiences all the symptom of cholecystitis (see separate section) but the consequent constitutional upset can be markedly more significant. The treatment as with cholecystitis is admission to hospital for intravenous antibiotics, intravenous fluid replacement, analgesia and rest. It is also usual necessary to release the impacted stones allowing free drainage of the bile into the gut and this is best achieved by ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholodochopancreatogram). An interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy is then performed as for cholecystitis.