Diagnosis and Initial Management
This imaging modality is often used to detect gallstones in the gallbladder or bile ducts, and is the first-line diagnostic test.
What is ultrasound?
This is the procedure of choice for symptomatic gallstones in younger, fitter patients, involving minimal incisions.
What is laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
Elevated levels of this enzyme, especially when sustained, suggest liver damage and are often elevated in patients with chronic liver disease.
What is alkaline phosphatase?
This is the most common medical treatment for acute cholangitis
What are broad spectrum IV antibiotics (e.g., piperacillin-tazobactam, meropenem)?
After ERCP, patients should be monitored for complications.
What is close monitoring for signs of infection or pancreatitis?
This is the gold standard for diagnosing choledocholithiasis (stones in the common bile duct).
What is ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)?
This surgery may be required to remove gallstones from the bile duct in cases of choledocholithiasis.
What is laparoscopic bile duct exploration?
During this procedure, the sphincter of Oddi is cut to help remove stones from the bile duct.
What is endoscopic sphincterotomy?
This medication is often prescribed to alleviate pruritus in patients with cholestatic liver diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis.
What is ursodeoxycholic acid?
After laparoscopic cholecystectomy, patients are generally advised to avoid this type of food to minimise digestive issues.
What are fatty foods?
This condition, characterised by jaundice, fever, and RUQ pain, requires urgent diagnosis and is often diagnosed by ERCP.
What is cholangitis?
This is the extensive surgical procedure that may be performed for patients with pancreatic cancer, involving resection of several structures including the head of the pancreas and duodenum.
What is Kausch-Whipple pancreatoduodenectomy?
In patients with chronic liver damage or cholangitis, this test measures the protein status of the liver, which may be low due to malnutrition.
What is albumin?
This medication is commonly prescribed to reduce pruritus in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).
What is ursodeoxycholic acid?
This is a potential complication following a cholecystectomy, often caused by a bile leak from the bile ducts.
What is bile peritonitis?
ERCP involves the injection of a contrast dye into the bile ducts, allowing for this type of imaging.
What is X-ray imaging?
In patients with pancreatic cancer, this procedure is used to bypass bile duct obstruction by inserting a stent.
What is stent placement during ERCP?
This test measures the liver’s ability to function and is elevated in conditions like cholestasis, hepatitis, or cirrhosis.
What are aminotransferases (ALT/AST)?
This chemotherapy regimen is commonly given after pancreatic cancer surgery, especially after Kausch-Whipple surgery, to reduce the risk of recurrence.
What is adjuvant chemotherapy?
In post-cholecystectomy syndrome, if a patient has diarrhea, they may be prescribed this to manage the condition.
What are bile acid sequestrants (e.g., cholestyramine)?
this test is non-invasive and provides detailed images of the biliary system and pancreatic ducts without the need for contrast dye injection.
Unlike ERCP, this test is non-invasive and provides detailed images of the biliary system and pancreatic ducts without the need for contrast dye injection.
This chemotherapy regimen is commonly given after pancreatic cancer surgery, especially after Kausch-Whipple surgery, to reduce the risk of recurrence.
What is adjuvant chemotherapy?
This blood test measures the amount of ... which is water-soluble and increases in conditions like biliary obstruction.
What is bilirubin (conjugated)?
In cases of biliary colic, these medications may be used to alleviate pain and inflammation.
What are NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)?
After ERCP with stone extraction, the patient is often followed up with this procedure to ensure the stones do not return and the bile duct is clear.
What is laparoscopic cholecystectomy (if not performed previously)?