What symptom is NOT part of Charcot's triad associated with acute cholangitis?

What symptom is NOT part of Charcot's triad associated with acute cholangitis?

• A. RUQ pain
• B. Fever/chills
• C. Jaundice
• D. Vomiting

Answer: (D)

Charcot's triad is a classic clinical syndrome associated with acute cholangitis, which is an infection of the bile duct system typically due to obstruction. The triad consists of right upper quadrant pain, fever or chills, and jaundice. These three symptoms reflect the underlying pathology of cholangitis, where the inflammation and infection lead to pain from bile duct distension, systemic symptoms like fever due to infection, and jaundice from bile duct obstruction. Vomiting, while it may be present in some patients with cholangitis due to discomfort or other complications, is not one of the hallmark symptoms defining Charcot's triad. Therefore, its absence helps identify the classic presentation of the triad and clarifies that it is not an essential feature of acute cholangitis. Understanding Charcot's triad is crucial in the clinical setting for diagnosing and determining the urgency of treatment for this condition.

Charcot's triad is a classic clinical syndrome associated with acute cholangitis, which is an infection of the bile duct system typically due to obstruction. The triad consists of right upper quadrant pain, fever or chills, and jaundice. These three symptoms reflect the underlying pathology of cholangitis, where the inflammation and infection lead to pain from bile duct distension, systemic symptoms like fever due to infection, and jaundice from bile duct obstruction.

Vomiting, while it may be present in some patients with cholangitis due to discomfort or other complications, is not one of the hallmark symptoms defining Charcot's triad. Therefore, its absence helps identify the classic presentation of the triad and clarifies that it is not an essential feature of acute cholangitis. Understanding Charcot's triad is crucial in the clinical setting for diagnosing and determining the urgency of treatment for this condition.