Common Bile Duct Dilatation With Stones Indicates Requirement for Early Drainage in Patients With or Without Cholangitis

Abstract Background: Some patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones develop cholangitis requiring drainage, while others do not. The aims of this study were to elucidate the clinical differences among patients with CBD stones who required and did not require emergent drainage, and to identify risk factors for the development of cholangitis requiring emergent drainage in patients with silent CBD stones. Methods: Clinical characteristics of consecutive patients with CBD stones who underwent endoscopic removal of stones or biliary drainage were