Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis in Asian immigrants: use of ultrasonography, computed tomography, and cholangiography

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Radiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.143.1.7063721· OSTI ID:5515256

Federle, M P; Cello, J P; Laing, F C; Jeffery, Jr, R B

Five cases of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) were studied by ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and cholangiography. All patients were recent immigrants from the Orient or Indonesia and had had recurrent attacks of cholangitis for many years. The bile was infected by E. coli and the biliary ducts were dilated; in addition, extrahepatic bile-pigment calculi we represent in all 5 and intrahepatic calculi in 4. Abdominal ultrasound usually failed to demonstrate duct calculi and extrahepatic dilatation due to the soft, mud-like consistency of the stones. CT was successful in showing the calculi and the full extent of dilatation. The authors conclude that preoperative diagnosis of RPC is best achieved by awareness of the characteristic clinical presentation and the findings on abdominal CT. Preoperative cholangiography provides excellent detail, but poses the danger of biliary sepsis requiring antibiotics.

• Research Organization: San Francisco General Hospital, CA
• OSTI ID: 5515256
• Journal Information: Radiology; (United States), Journal Name: Radiology; (United States) Vol. 143:1; ISSN RADLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANATOMY
BIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY
BODY
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
KIDNEYS
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
PATIENTS
TOMOGRAPHY