Which term refers to acute inflammation of the bile duct with right upper quadrant pain, fever, and jaundice?

• A. Cholecystitis
• B. Gallstones
• C. Hepatitis
• D. Cholangitis

Answer: (D)

Acute inflammation of the bile duct with right upper quadrant pain, fever, and jaundice is cholangitis. This condition happens when the ducts are obstructed—often by gallstones or a narrowing—and bacteria ascend from the intestine, causing infection. The classic presentation is Charcot's triad: RUQ pain, fever, and jaundice. In more severe cases, Reynolds pentad adds low blood pressure and confusion, signaling possible sepsis.

Cholecystitis, on the other hand, is inflammation of the gallbladder itself and usually presents with RUQ pain and fever, but jaundice is less typical unless the bile duct is involved. Gallstones are the stones that can cause obstruction and pain but aren’t an inflammatory condition of the bile ducts. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, leading to different patterns of discomfort and lab findings, with jaundice possible but not due to bile duct inflammation.

So the term that fits acute inflammation of the bile duct with the described symptoms is cholangitis.