Acute cholangitis, as a serious, sometimes life-threatening clinical picture, is often clearly distinguishable by virtue of its clinical symptomatology (fever, upper abdominal pain, possibly also jaundice). Chronic cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and chronic destructive, non-suppurative cholangitis are, although clearly defined, without symptoms in the early stages, and can be diagnosed only on the basis of long-term observations. Clinical symptomatology, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, therapy, course and prognosis are discussed.