Bacterial Cholangitis: Diagnostic Tests

Obligatory medical device diagnostics.

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) – Diagnostic method in gastroenterology that combines endoscopy and radiology. It involves radiographic imaging of the biliary system and pancreatic duct as part of an endoscopic examination. Tissue biopsies (tissue samples) and bile aspirates (aspirate = body material obtained by aspiration) can also be obtained.
  • For the detection of:
    • Outflow disorders of the bile
    • Changes in the bile ducts (e.g., thickening of the walls).
  • To restore the outflow of bile
• Upper abdominal sonography (ultrasound examination).
  • Mechanical cholestasis (bile stasis)?
  • Gallstones?
  • Tumors?
  • Abscesses (encapsulated collections of pus)?

Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination and mandatory laboratory parameters – for differential diagnostic clarification.

• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP) (synonym: MR cholangiopancreaticography) – noninvasive imaging procedure to visualize the biliary and pancreatic ducts.
  • Indication: equivocal biliary obstruction in high-risk patients (e.g., liver transplant patients, immunosuppressive therapy patients) with signs of cholangitis
• Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD).
  • Insertion of a drainage catheter into the bile ducts (biliary drainage), through which accumulated bile is drained to the outside.
  • If necessary, stents (implant or fine wire frame to keep vessels or ducts open) are placed.