What Is Cholangitis?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
5. Complications
Cholangitis caused by an infection can lead to sepsis. This occurs when an untreated infection spreads through the blood to tissues in other areas of the body. A widespread infection is more difficult to treat. As a result, sepsis can be potentially life-threatening.
Part of the function of the liver is to filter out wastes from the bloodstream. If cholangitis has negatively affected liver function, it can cause the spleen to swell when old blood cells collect there. Veins in the stomach can swell or burst due to high blood pressure in the liver. Cirrhosis, which is scarring of the liver, can result from cholangitis. Gallstones can form when collected bile hardens.
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