cholecystitis

Question 1

what?

Answer 1

inflammation of the gall bladder

Question 2

cause?

Answer 2

cystic duct/ neck of gallbladder obstruction by gallstones, tumour or parasitic worms leading to infection

Question 3

symptoms of acute cholecystitis?

Answer 3

• biliary colic pain that is persistent and severe
• fever
• leucocytosis
• murphy’s sign (patient breaths in while palpating right subcostal area and gallbladder is felt, causing pain)

Question 4

what is chronic cholecystitis?

Answer 4

-thickened gallbladder wall due to fibrosis after recurrent acute cholecystitis

Question 5

what is shown on the bloods of someone with acute cholecystitis?

Answer 5

• increased inflammatory markers (WBC + CRP)

- deranged LFTs (slight increase bilirubin and ALT)

Question 6

what is a USS used for?

Answer 6

-detecting gallstones and gallbladder thickening

Question 7

what is the treatment for acute cholecystitis?

Answer 7

• nil by mouth
• pain relief (NSAIDS/opiates)
• antibiotics (cephalosporin/tazobactam + metronizadole)
• IV fluids
• laparascopy cholecystectomy (open if perforated)

Question 8

what is done if a patient if unfit for surgery and has acute cholecystitis?

Answer 8

-percutaneous cholecystectomy