Radiological evaluation of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis

Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) is defined as a condition in which there is a primary bacterial cholangitis, characterized clinically by recurrent attacks of fever, chills, abdominal pain, and jaundice. 17 cases of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis at Won Kwang University Hospital during the past three years were analyzedby clinical, radiological and surgical findings. The results were as follows; 1. Peak incidence was noted at fifth decade (35%) and the raio of male to female was almost eual (1:1.1). 2. Most of patients were undernurished andrural population in low socio-economic state. 3. The characteristic and most frequent symptoms were fever, chills,abdominal pain, and jaundice. 4. Serum alkaline phosphatase level was elevated almost 4 times to the upper limitof normal. 5. There was a history of cholecystectomy with or without T-tube drainage in 65% of 17 cases. 6. The cholangiographic findings in the biliary trees were stricture, stones and dilated ducts, and occured more commonly in the left hepatic duct than right. 7. Most stones of biliary trees were pigment stones, and occasionally muddystones were seen. 8. Most of the organism obtained from bile culture were E. coli, supported an infective etiology.