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Cholangitis

Definition:

An inflammation of the common bile duct.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

A bacterial infection in the bile duct and its bile is the usual cause of cholangitis. Bacterial infection is caused by obstruction of the duct by a gallstone; tumor; or in some parts of the world, by a fluke or a worm. The infection may spread to the liver. The risk factor is a previous history of cholelithiasis (gallstones). Cholangitis occurs in approximately 1 out of 10,000 people.


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