What is a common cause of biliary infection leading to a pyogenic liver abscess?

Biliary infections are often a result of obstructive processes in the biliary system, leading to stasis and subsequent infection. Cholecystitis, which is the inflammation of the gallbladder usually due to gallstones obstructing the cystic duct, is a primary cause of biliary infections. When the gallbladder becomes infected, bacteria can proliferate within the biliary tree, leading to complications such as cholangitis and pyogenic liver abscesses.

In this context, the infection can extend to the liver, creating abscesses fueled by the bacterial load and inflammatory mediators stemming from the inflamed biliary system. Conditions like appendicitis, diverticulitis, and pancreatitis, while they can lead to infections and abscesses in their respective areas, do not typically cause biliary infections directly. Cholecystitis is uniquely associated with the biliary system and is therefore the most relevant answer regarding the common cause of biliary infection leading to a pyogenic liver abscess.