About the disease

Bile duct inflammation is a condition, which develops when bile ducts become inflamed for some reason. Overall, bile ducts are responsible for transporting bile from the liver to the gallbladder. During this transportation bile ducts also pass through the pancreas and small intestine. Inflammation of the bile ducts can develop if there is some problem with liver, gallbladder, pancreas or small intestine, as these organs are interconnected with each other. The main cause of the bile duct inflammation are the gallstones, which  can create certain uncomfortable sensations. Bile duct inflammation is more common among women, who are more susceptible to developing gallstones in their lifetime. Gallstones can develop for a number of reasons: malnutrition, bad dietary habits, smoking, alcohol consumption and mere genetic predisposition. Liver problems and diseases of the gallbladder can also contribute to development of the gallstones. Cirrhosis and liver inflammation are leading liver diseases, which can lead to bile duct inflammation. Bacterial infections can also cause development of bile duct inflammation. It usually has two phases: acute and chronic one. In the acute phase person feels severe pain in the lower abdomen, while chronic bile duct inflammation can develop gradually and can be latent for several days before manifesting itself as a pain. If not treated on time, bile duct inflammation can result in the bile duct obstruction, which is a more difficult condition to treat.

Bile duct inflammation usually develops in the walls of the bile ducts, although in some cases it can affect the gallbladder and liver as well. 

Symptoms

• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Constipation or, in some cases, diarrhea
• Nausea
• Changed colour of the stool
• Dark-colored urine
• Weight loss
• Yellow skin, which can also indicate problem with liver

Diagnosis

A blood test and urinalysis are used to determine if the inflammation was caused by infection. It can also determine bacteria which could have caused the inflammatory process in the bile ducts. 

An ultrasound of the bile ducts can determine is there any any gallstones which could be causing inflammation or if there is an obstruction of the bile ducts.

An MRI scan and other imaging tests are used to examine the liver and pancreas and determine if they are causing inflammation. 

Treatment

Conservative treatment is used to fight the bacterial infection or any other condition, which causes the bile duct inflammation. It is always caused by something else as diagnosis determines the exact cause of inflammation, this cause is treated immediately. Special drugs are prescribed to treat the pancreas or liver if they cause the pain.  

In some cases surgery is used to remove the gallstones. If a person has obstruction of the bile ducts, special stent is used to widen the ducts and restore normal functioning of this organ.

Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Farrukh Ahmed