Cholangitis includes acute (ascending) cholangitis, oriental or recurrent cholangitis, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related sclerosing cholangitis (AIDS cholangiopathy), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). This review covers the first two. AIDS cholangiopathy recently has been reviewed,<sup>171 Nash J.A., Cohen S.A. Gallbladder and biliary tract disease in AIDS Gastroenterol Clin North Am 1997 ;  26 : 323-335  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> and PSC is an immunologic entity that has been described elsewhere.<sup>4 Angulo P., Lindor K.D. Primary sclerosing cholangitis Hepatology 1999 ;  30 : 325-332  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 139 Lee Y.-M., Kaplan M.M. Primary sclerosing cholangitis N Engl J Med 1995 ;  332 : 924-933  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup>

Acute cholangitis occurs in an infected, usually obstructed biliary system, most often at the level of the common bile duct. The most common cause of obstruction is stones, but other causes include strictures, which form after surgery or endoscopy or which may be secondary to sclerosing cholangitis; cysts; diverticula; congenital abnormalities; choledochoceles; pancreatitis; pancreatic or choledochal neoplasms; parasites (Ascaris, Clonorchis, or Echinococcus spp.); blockage in a drainage tube; or extrinsic compression.^{*References 3,20,61,86,87,96,99,101,107,125,151,176,177,180,181,195,197,198,201,202,210,244,250,255} The obstruction is usually complete, and, as a result, the infected material is unable to drain adequately. Concomitant increased intraductal pressure can lead to reflux of biliary contents and bacteremia, which in turn can cause septic shock and death.^{†References 3,20,61,86,87,96,99,101,107,125,151,176,177,180,181,195,197,198,201,202,210,244,250,255}