Acute cholecystitis (patient information)
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Acute cholecystitis |
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Acute cholecystitis On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Acute cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe abdominal pain.
What are the symptoms of Acute cholecystitis?
The main symptom is pain in the upper right side or upper middle of the abdomen. The pain may:
- Sharp, cramping, or dull
- Steady
- Radiating to the back or below the right scapula
Other symptoms that may occur include:
What causes Acute cholecystitis?
- In 90% of cases, acute cholecystitis is caused by gallstones in the gallbladder.
- Other causes include severe illness and (rarely) tumors of the gallbladder.
- Acute cholecystitis occurs when bile becomes trapped in the gallbladder. The buildup of bile causes irritation and pressure in the gallbladder. This can lead to infection and a hole (perforation) in the organ.
Who is at highest risk?
- Gallstone disease
- Women are at more risk than men.
- Native Americans and Hispanics have a higher rate of gallstones than most other people.
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
- Abdomen is tender to the touch.
Laboratory Tests
- Blood tests
- Amylase and lipase
- Bilirubin
- Complete blood count -- increased white blood cell count
- Liver function tests
- Imaging tests - show gallstones or inflammation
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Abdominal CT scan
- Abdominal x-ray
- Oral cholecystogram
- Gallbladder radionuclide scan
When to seek urgent medical care?
- Severe abdominal pain
- If symptoms of cholecystitis return after a previous episode
Prevention of Acute cholecystitis
Removal of gallstones will prevent attacks of acute cholecystitis.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Patients who have surgery to remove the gallbladder usually do very well.