What is "cholecystitis"

1846, from cholecyst + -itis.

n. (context medicine English) An inflammation of the gall bladder.

n. inflammation of the gall bladder

Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder. Symptoms include right upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and occasionally fever. Often acute cholecytitis is proceeded by gallbladder attacks. The pain; however, lasts longer than is typical in a gallbladder attack. Without appropriate treatment recurrent episodes of cholecystitis are common. Acute cholecystitis may be complicated by gallstone pancreatitis, common bile duct stones, or inflammation of the common bile duct.

More than 90% of the time acute cholecystitis is from blockage of the bile duct by a gallstone. Risk factors for gallstones include birth control pills, pregnancy, a family history of gallstones, obesity, diabetes, liver disease, or rapid weight loss. Occasionally acute cholecystitis occur as a result of vasculitis, chemotherapy, or during recovery from major trauma or burns. Cholecystitis is suspected based on symptoms and laboratory testing. Abdominal ultrasound is then typically used to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment is usually with laparoscopic gallbladder removal, within 24 hours if possible. Taking pictures of the bile ducts during the surgery is recommended. The routine use of antibiotics is controversial. They are recommended if surgery cannot occur in a timely manner or if the case is complicated. If there are also stones in the common bile duct, these can either be removed before surgery by ERCP or during surgery. In those unable to have surgery, gallbladder drainage may be tried.

About 10-15% of adults in the developed world have gallstones. Women more commonly have stones than men and they occur more commonly after the age of 40. Certain ethnic groups are more often affected, with for example 48% of American Indians having gallstones. Of those with stones, 1-4% have biliary colic each year. Of those with biliary colic about 20%, without treatment, develop acute cholecystitis. Once the gallbladder is removed outcomes are generally good. Without treatment chronic cholecystitis may occur. The word is from Greek, cholecyst- meaning "gallbladder" and -itis meaning "inflammation".