Which condition is the most common cause of biliary obstruction and can lead to acute cholangitis presenting with Charcot's triad (RUQ pain, fever, jaundice)?

Which condition is the most common cause of biliary obstruction and can lead to acute cholangitis presenting with Charcot's triad (RUQ pain, fever, jaundice)?

• A. Choledocholithiasis
• B. Malignancy of the bile duct
• C. Gallstone pancreatitis
• D. Biliary sludge

Answer: (A)

Stones that lodge in the common bile duct block bile flow, making choledocholithiasis the most frequent cause of biliary obstruction. When a CBD stone becomes infected or allows bacteria to ascend from the duodenum, it can lead to acute cholangitis. The classic presentation of this infection is the Charcot triad: right upper quadrant pain, fever, and jaundice. While other conditions like bile duct malignancy or biliary sludge can also cause obstruction, stones are far more common, and a CBD stone is the typical scenario that leads to obstruction with the risk of cholangitis.

Stones that lodge in the common bile duct block bile flow, making choledocholithiasis the most frequent cause of biliary obstruction. When a CBD stone becomes infected or allows bacteria to ascend from the duodenum, it can lead to acute cholangitis. The classic presentation of this infection is the Charcot triad: right upper quadrant pain, fever, and jaundice. While other conditions like bile duct malignancy or biliary sludge can also cause obstruction, stones are far more common, and a CBD stone is the typical scenario that leads to obstruction with the risk of cholangitis.