Acute suppurative cholangitis associated with choledochal sludge

Three patients with acute cholangitis who lacked cholangiographic evidence of common bile duct stones are reported. One presented 7 yr after cholecystectomy, and the other two had gallbladder sludge but no gallstones. The clinical features were mild, consisting of biliary pain, low grade fever without chills, and with modest leukocytosis. In each case, free cannulation of the bile duct was not possible, necessitating needle-knife papillotomy. After endoscopic sphincterotomy, balloon retrieval yielded purulent bile and sludge, but no stones. Prompt clinical improvement resulted in all three patients. Cultures of bile obtained at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography grew Escherichia coli in two patients and Enterobacter aeruginosa in the other. These observations suggest a link between intermittent obstruction due to biliary sludge in the common bile duct and bacterial cholangitis. We hypothesize that recurrent passage of biliary sludge may precipitate obstructive inflammation and fibrosis of the ampulla of Vater. Acute cholangitis should be added to the differential of potential complications of biliary sludge.