• recurrent jaundice
• abdominal pain
  • in the right upper quadrant or middle of the upper abdomen
  • may be recurrent
  • sharp or cramping or dull
  • may radiate to the back or below the right shoulder blade
• chills
• fever
• stools, clay colored (may occur)
• dark urine (may occur)
• nausea
• vomiting

Tests that show obstruction or infection of the bile duct:

• ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) examines the biliary (liver secretion) system and the pancreatic duct
• percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA)
• abdominal ultrasound
• MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography)

Blood tests that may be affected include:

• liver function tests
• bilirubin levels
• WBC -- increased