Cholangitis: Deadly Cause of Right Upper Quadrant Abdominal Pain

Cholangitis should be considered in patients with undifferentiated sepsis. Ruling in or out the diagnosis of cholangitis is no longer based on clinical exam alone. The addition of imaging and bloodwork to the clinical exam are much more reliable. Resuscitation, antibiotics and consultation for early biliary decompression are the mainstays of cholangitis treatment.