| Differential: | obstructive ascending cholangitis |
Reynolds' pentad is a collection of signs and symptoms consistent with obstructive ascending cholangitis, a serious infection of the biliary tract. It is a combination of Charcot's triad (right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, and fever) with shock (low blood pressure, tachycardia) and an altered mental status.[1] Sometimes the two additional signs are listed simply as low blood pressure and confusion.[2]
It was named after surgeon Benedict Reynolds, who described it (along with Everett Dargan) in 1959.[1]