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Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 28, 2006; 12(40): 6551-6555
Published online Oct 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i40.6551
Table 1 Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with severe acute cholangitis
Group IGroup II
n12352
Mean age ± SD (range ) years38.6 ± 12.4 (20-56)68.4 ± 10.8a (60-90)
Gender (Male: Female)72:5133:19
Clinical presentation n (%)
Right upper116 (94.3)27 (52)a
Quadrant pain118 (96)18 (34.6)a
Fever ≥ 38.0°C2 (1.6)20 (38.4)a
< 38.0°C120 (97.5)48 (92.3)
Jaundice3 (2.4)19 (36.5)a
Altered sensorium5 (4.0)13 (25.0)a
Hypotension22 (17.8)14 (11.3)a
Peritonism5 (4.0)14 (11.3)a
Renal failure4 (3.2)21 (40.3)a
Other systemic illnesses
Table 2 Etiology and site of biliary obstruction in common bile duct
Etiology of biliary obstructionSite of biliary obstructionGroup In = 123(%)Group IIn = 52(%)
Benign causes (n = 138)
Common bile duct stoneLower104 (84.5)18 (34.6)a
Chronic pancreatitisLower2 (1.6)0
Post operative biliary strictureUpper7 (5.7)0
Hydatid cyst rupture with fistulaUpper4 (3.2)0
Rupture liver abscess with fistulaUpper3 (2.4)0
Malignant causes (n = 37)
Gallbladder carcinomaUpper2 (1.6)14 (27)a
CholangiocacinomaUpper + middle05 (9.6)a
Periampullary carcinomaLower1 (0.8)15 (28.8)a
Table 3 Laboratory parameters before endoscopic biliary drainage (mean ± SD)
Group I(n = 123)Group II(n = 52)P
Total leucocyte count, × 109/L28.6 ± 6.420.4 ± 4.6< 0.01
Total bilirubin, mg/dL12.4 ± 8.220.6 ± 10.4< 0.01
Aspartate aminotransferase, IU/L62 ± 2458 ± 20.6NS
Alanine aminotransferase, IU/L52 ± 18.456 ± 14.4NS
Alkaline phosphatase, IU/L402 ± 1961126 ± 644< 0.01
Serum albumin, g/dL3.6 ± 0.83.8 ± 0.8NS
Table 4 Indications of biliary drainage
IndicationGroup In = 123 (%)Group IIn = 52 (%)P
Fever ≥ 38.0°C118 (96)18 (34.6)< 0.01
Hypotension5 (4)13 (25)< 0.01
Peritonism22 (18)14 (26.9)< 0.01
Altered sensorium3 (2.6)19 (36.5)< 0.01
Failure to improve with conservative management2 (1.6)20 (38.4)< 0.01
Table 5 Clinical characteristics, indications and results of biliary drainage in patients with acute cholangitis due to stones in common bile duct (n = 122)
Group In = 104 (%)Group IIn = 18 (%)P
Clinical parameters
Fever102 (98)10 (55.5)< 0.01
Jaundice101 (97.1)14 (77.7)< 0.01
Altered sensorium1 (0.96)8 (44.4)< 0.01
Hypotension1 (0.96)5 (27.8)< 0.01
Peritonism12 (11.5)6 (33.3)< 0.01
Renal failure3 (2.8)7 (38.9)< 0.01
Indications of biliary drainage
Fever ≥ 38.0°C102 (98)6 (33.3)< 0.01
Hypotension1 (0.96)5 (27.8)< 0.01
Peritonism12 (11.5)6 (33.3)< 0.01
Altered sensorium1 (0.96)8 (44.4)< 0.01
Failure to improve with conservative treatment1 (0.96)7 (38.9)< 0.01
Results of biliary drainage
Time taken for improvement
Median (range) days5 (2-15)10 (3-20)< 0.01
Mortality02< 0.01
Length of hospital stay
Mean (range) days8.2 (7-20)16.4 (7-30)< 0.01