Masayoshi Ido

Clinical evaluation and treatment in elderly patients with acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis

Elderly patients with acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (AOSC) have a very poor prognosis due both to the gradual development of symptoms and to acute exacerbation, resulting in a condition that is both severe and irreversible. In this study, we evaluated the clinical characteristics and effects of biliary drainage in patients with AOSC treated in our department, with special attention being focused on patients aged 70 years or more. Of 21 patients with AOSC, 7 (33.3%) were more than 70 years of age. All 7 had choledocholithiasis. In all patients with choledocholithiasis, in this study. AOSC was observed in 23.3% of those who were more than 70 years of age (7/30). In elderly patients with AOSC, typical symptoms are often absent, and the severity of the disease is difficult to determine based on the results of examination alone. Since early diagnosis of AOSC and appropriate biliary drainage from the onset of AOSC are extremely important, clinical findings should be examined with the utmost care.