ABOUT THE DISEASE
Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small sac-like organ located in the upper right side of the abdomen, just below the liver. It temporarily stores bile that is produced in the liver and helps in digestion of fats. During a meal, the gallbladder contracts, and bile moves from the gallbladder through small duct, called the cystic duct and the common bile duct, into the small intestine.
Cholecystitis usually develops when a person has gallstones, which may block the cystic duct, causing bile to be trapped in the gallbladder. Chemicals in the trapped bile or a bacterial infection can then lead to inflammation of the gallbladder. It can be acute or chronic in nature.
SYMPTOMS
CAUSES
1) Gall stones2) Tumor3) Bile duct blockage4) Infection of the CBD drainage system5) Excess cholesterol in the gallbladder, as during pregnancy or after rapid weight loss.
DIAGNOSIS
- Clinical Evaluation- Abdominal ultrasound or a computerized tomography (CT) scan- Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan.- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)- Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC)
TREATMENT METHODS
Supportive care (hydration, analgesics, antibiotics).
Surgery to remove Gall bladder (Cholecystectomy).
You may also like to learn about:
GallstonesGall Bladder PolypsBile duct obstructionBile duct diseaseBiliary atresiaLiver disease