What condition describes a bacterial infection superimposed on an obstruction of the biliary tree?

Cholangitis refers to the infection of the bile duct system that occurs when there is an obstruction, typically due to gallstones or tumors. In this condition, bacteria from the intestine can ascend into the biliary tree, leading to inflammation and infection. The characteristic features of cholangitis include jaundice, fever, and abdominal pain, often referred to as Charcot's triad.

Obstruction plays a pivotal role in this condition, as it creates an environment conducive to bacterial growth due to bile stasis. This infection can become life-threatening if not treated promptly, often requiring antibiotics and sometimes surgical intervention to relieve the obstruction.

While cholecystitis involves inflammation of the gallbladder and empyema refers specifically to the accumulation of pus within a body cavity (which can occur in the context of cholecystitis), these conditions do not specifically describe the scenario of an infection due to biliary obstruction. Mirizzi syndrome, on the other hand, describes a specific condition where a gallstone lodged in the cystic duct leads to compression of the common hepatic duct, which can cause dilatation and possible secondary infection, yet it is not synonymous with the direct infection of the bile ducts that cholangitis represents.