Definition
The triad of Charcot is the combination of three clinical signs that is frequently found in two different pathologies: acute cholangitis and multiple sclerosis.
Acute cholangitis
Cholangitis is an inflammatory process that affects the bile ducts. In the clinical presentation of this condition, the Charcot triad describes the contemporary presence of
- abdominal pain (localized, in particular, in the upper right quadrant),
- jaundice
- fever with chills.
This triad of symptoms can also be found in primitive sclerosing cholangitis.
Charcot neurological triad
In the context of multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders, the Charcot triad indicates the presence of
- nystagmus (involuntary, rapid and repetitive eye movement),
- intentional tremor
- dysarthria (difficulty in articulating words).
Possible Causes * of Triad of Charcot
- Gall bladder stones
- Sclerosing cholangitis
- Multiple sclerosis
