Acute cholecystitis overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Furqan M M. M.B.B.S[2]
Overview
Historical Perspective
Gallstones are found in 3500 years old Egyptian mummies during the autopsies. In 1420, Antonio Benivieni was the first to describe gallstones. Carl Langenbuch performed the first cholecystectomy of a 43-year-old man who had suffered from biliary colic for sixteen years. Historically, open cholecystectomy was the treatment employed for the treatment of acute cholecystitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was developed to treat acute cholecystitis and the shift from open to laparoscopic cholecystectomy occurred in the late 1980s.
Classification
Acute cholecystitis may be classified according to causes into two major subtypes: Acute calculous cholecystitis and acute acalculous cholecystitis.
Pathophysiology
Acute calculous cholecystitis is usually caused by the mechanical obstruction of the gallbladder due to gallstones. Acute acalculous cholecystitis is caused predominantly by the gallbladder stasis. Gallstones are the most common cause of physical obstruction of the gallbladder usually at the neck or in the cystic duct. Cholesterol gallstones are the most common type of gallstones. The obstruction causes an increased pressure as the gallbladder mucosa continues to produce mucus. This raised pressure may cause the venous congestion which is followed by the arterial congestion. Eventually, the raised pressure and stasis leads to the gallbladder ischemia and necrosis. Mechanical obstruction of the gallbladder as a result of polyps, malignancy, an infestation of the gallbladder with parasites, foreign bodies, and trauma may also lead to the acute cholecystitis. Acute cholecystitis is more common in siblings and first degree relatives of affected persons. Lith gene is involved in the pathogenesis of cholecystitis. Mutations in the hepatic cholesterol transporter ABCG8 also predispose an individual to the develop gallstones. Acute cholecystitis is associated with diabetes, insulin resistance, cardiovascular diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and gastrointestinal malignancies. Microscopic histopathology shows edematous and hemorrhagic gallbladder wall, mucosal necrosis with neutrophil infiltration. Bile infiltration of the gallbladder wall and bile and leucocyte margination of blood vessels are specific findings for acalculous cholecystitis.
Causes
The most common cause of acute cholecystitis is gallstones. Less common causes of acute cholecystitis include gallbladder stasis, gallbladder polyp, gallbladder malignancy, parasites, and foreign
Differentiating Acute cholecystitis from Other Diseases
Acute cholecystitis must be differentiated from other diseases that cause right upper quadrant abdominal pain and nausea/vomiting such as biliary colic, acute cholangitis, viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, acute pancreatitis, acute appendicitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Epidemiology and Demographics
The incidence of acute cholecystitis is approximately 63,000 per 100,000 in individuals under 50 years age and 209,000 per 100,000 in individuals over 50 years age worldwide. The prevalence of acute cholecystitis is approximately 85,324 per 100,000 individuals in the United States. Acute cholecystitis is comparatively less prevalent in the developing countries. The mortality rate of acute cholecystitis is approximately 0.6%. Acute cholecystitis usually affects individuals of the North American Indian race. Females are more commonly affected by acute cholecystitis than males. Acute cholecystitis cases are reported worldwide. Acute cholecystitis accounts for 700,000 cholecystectomies and costs of ∼$6.5 billion annually only in the United States.
Risk Factors
Common risk factors in the development of acute calculous cholecystitis include advancing age, female gender, obesity, and family history. Long periods of fasting, total parental nutrition (TPN), weight loss are the common risk factors for the development of acute acalculous cholecystitis.
Screening
There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for acute cholecystitis.
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Acute Cholecystitis most commonly occurs as a result of the prolonged obstruction of the cystic duct leading to inflammation of the gallbladder. The obstruction further contributes to the development of the complications associated with acute cholecystitis such as gangrene, empyema, perforation, cholecystoenteric fistula, emphysematous cholecystitis, and gallstone ileus. Prognosis is generally good if the patient receives treatment. The majority of the patients undergo cholecystectomy.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
Transabdominal ultrasonography is the gold standard for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Thickened gallbladder, gallstones or sludge, and pericholecystic fluid are the findings associated with transabdominal ultrasound in patients with acute cholecystitis.
History and Symptoms
The majority of patients with cholelithiasis are asymptomatic. Acute cholecystitis occurs as a result of prolonged gallstone obstruction in the bile duct, one to four patients develop biliary colic and about 20% of these patients develop acute cholecystitis annually. The hallmark of acute cholecystitis is biliary colic. A positive history of biliary colic, nausea and vomiting is suggestive of acute cholecystitis.
Physical Examination
Patients with acute cholecystitis usually appear ill. Physical examination of patients with acute cholecystitis is remarkable for right upper quadrant abdominal tenderness, positive murphy's sign, and fever. The presence of murphy's sign on physical examination is highly suggestive of acute cholecystitis.
Laboratory Findings
Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis include leukocytosis and elevated CRP.
Electrocardiogram
There are no ECG findings associated with acute cholecystitis.