Three days into the hospitalization for an acute illness a CT scan is performed on a 32 year old woman. She initially presented to the emergency room with severe periumbilicalpain, nausea, and vomiting. She denied any alcohol use and was on no medications. She had previously been feeling well. She was treated with intravenous fluids and kept nothing by mouth. An initial ultrasound exam of the abdomen revealed gallstones within
the gallbladder and a mildly dilated common bile duct. Because her symptoms persisted and she developed a fever the CT scan was obtained.
Which of following statements best describes the pathophysiology of this condition?
