Charcot's triad

Charcot's Triad is a set of three common symptoms that indicate the presence of biliary tract disease, specifically cholangitis. Named after the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, who first identified the pattern in the 19th century, Charcot's Triad consists of jaundice, fever with chills, and abdominal pain.

Symptoms

The three symptoms of Charcot's Triad are:

• Jaundice: This is a yellowing of the skin and eyes due to an excess of bilirubin, a waste material, in the blood. In the context of Charcot's Triad, jaundice usually results from a blockage in the bile ducts, which prevents bilirubin from being excreted from the body as it normally would be.

• Fever with Chills: This is a common symptom of infection. In the case of Charcot's Triad, the infection is typically in the bile ducts.

• Abdominal Pain: This is usually located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, where the liver and gallbladder (which are connected to the bile ducts) are located.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Charcot's Triad is a clinical diagnosis, meaning it is based on the patient's symptoms rather than specific diagnostic tests. However, tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, and MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography) can be used to confirm the diagnosis and identify the cause of the symptoms.

Treatment for the conditions indicated by Charcot's Triad typically involves addressing the underlying cause of the symptoms. This may involve antibiotics to treat infection, surgery to remove blockages in the bile ducts, or other treatments as appropriate.

See Also

• Reynolds' Pentad
• Acute cholangitis
• Biliary tract