Specificities of acute cholangitis in patients with cancer: a retrospective comparative study of 130 episodes.

ABSTRACT

Pancreatic and biliary duct cancers are increasing causes of acute cholangitis (AC). We retrospectively characterize 81 cancer-associated cholangitis (CAC) compared to 49 non-cancer-associated cholangitis (NCAC). Clinical and biological presentations were similar. However, in CAC, antibiotic resistance and inadequate empirical antibiotic therapy were more frequent; more patients required ≥ 2 biliary drainages; and mortality at day 28 was higher than in NCAC. Death was associated with initial severity and CAC in a multivariate analysis. Cholangitis associated with pancreatic or biliary duct cancers requires specific empirical antimicrobial therapy; early use of biliary drainage may improve outcomes.