A 68-year-old man presents to the emergency department with fever (39.2°C), right upper quadrant pain, and jaundice for 12 hours. Laboratory studies show leukocytosis (WBC 14,500/μL), conjugated hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin 8.2 mg/dL), and markedly elevated alkaline phosphatase (320 U/L). Ultrasound reveals the findings marked as **B** in the diagram — common bile duct dilatation (8 mm), intrahepatic biliary radicle dilatation, and echogenic foci with reverberation artifact in the biliary tree. Blood cultures are pending. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
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