Bile duct inflammation, gross specimen. Known as cholangitis, this condition is a medical emergency. It occurs when the bile ducts, which carry digest

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Bile duct inflammation, gross specimen. Known as cholangitis, this condition is a medical emergency. It occurs when the bile ducts, which carry digestive chemicals from the liver to the digestive tract, become blocked. White pus forms around the blockage (centre) and surrounding tissue becomes necrotic (dead, black around centre). Blockage facilitates bacterial growth inside the biliary ducts, leading to infection that can in turn lead to septicaemia (infection of the blood), organ failure and death. Treatment is by surgically unblocking the bile ducts with an endoscope and intravenous injection of antibiotic drugs.

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