Review article
Bile Duct Diseases
Nadan Rustemović
Abstract
Acute cholangitis is a clinical syndrome characterized
by fever, jaundice and abdominal pain that develop
as a result of stasis and biliary tract infection. Cholelithiasis
used to be the most common cause of biliary tract obstruction
resulting in cholangitis. Over the past 20 years, biliary
tract manipulations and stents have reportedly become more
common causes of cholangitis. The condition has signifi cant
potential for mortality and morbidity, especially if untreated.
Administration of intravenous antibiotics and correction of fl uid
and electrolyte imbalances constitute essential medical care
for cholangitis. Endoscopic biliary drainage and decompression
most usually replace surgery in the initial treatment of severe
cholangitis. Cholangiocarcinomas (CCC) are malignacies of the
biliary duct system that may originate in the liver and extrahepatic
bile ducts. Perihilar tumors (Klatskin tumors) are the most
common, and intrahepatic tumors are the least common. CCC is
the tumor that arises from the intrahepatic or extrahepatic biliary
epithelium. More than 90% are adenocarcinomas. Despite
aggressive anticancer therapy and interventional supportive
care, median survival rate is low since most patients (90%) are
not eligible for curative resection.
Keywords
acute cholangitis; biliary stents; cholangiocarcinoma
Hrčak ID:
18851
URI
Publication date:
26.1.2006.
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