A 33-year-old woman presents to the Emergency Department with a history of severe right upper quadrant abdominal
pain and yellow sclera. On examination, she appears unwell and has marked right upper quadrant tenderness with no
guarding. An abdominal ultrasound reveals multiple gallstones and a dilated common bile duct (CBD) measuring 12 mm.
She is initiated on intravenous fluids and broad-spectrum antibiotics. What is the most appropriate next step in
management?
Labs
White Blood Cells (WBC): 15.0 × 10⁹/L (high)
Total Bilirubin: 43 µmol/L (high)
Alkaline Phosphatase: 280 IU/L (high)
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