Rate limiting step for bilirubin conjugation
2-3-UDP-glucoronyltransferase
Painless posthepatic jaundice is most often going to be . . .
. . . cancer or strictures
1000 foot interpretation of localization of process based on bilirubin
Unconjugated predominant: Prehepatic
Mixed: Intrahepatic
Conjugated predominant: Post-hepatic
Presentation of painless obstructive jaundice
Classic presentation of malignant obstruction of the bile tree
Distended gallbladder that is palpable, but non-painful
Some sort of obstructive jaundice (stricture, cancer)
What are you looking for on CT in a patient with obstructive jaundice?
Obstructive jaundice + migratory thrombophlebitis
Pancreatic cancer
Treatment for biliary tree strictures
Stenting
UNLESS, they have PSC. This is because these patients will eventually need transplant, and if you stent them it will be harder to do the transplant. In these cases, use ursodeoxcholic acid instead.
Sphincter of Odi dysfunction
Standard antibiotics prior to surgery for cholecystitis
B-SAFE mnemonic for gallbladder surgery

In-detail biliary tree anatomy

ERCP and EDGE
Done in patients with history of Roux en Y gastric bypass who develop gallstone disease
EDGE is done in two parts: Make a hole, then come back in 2 weeks to do ERCP

Five F’s of mixed cholesterol cholelithiasis
Green bile stones vs black bile stones
Green: Mixed cholesterol, most common
Black: Bilirubin stones, from hemolysis
Treatment for uncomplicated cholelithiasis (w/o cholecystitis)
In the context of gallstone disease, whenever you have an obstruction. . .
. . . everything proximal will be inflamed
Dx and Tx for cholecystitis
Labs in choledocolithiasis
Dx and Tx for choledocolithiasis
Dx and Tx for cholangitis (aka ascending cholangitis)
Abx in gallstone disease
Differentiating pancreatic pseudocyst vs abscess on CT
Pseudocyst: Tender abdomen, smooth, round, cystic structure. Usually not febrile, but can produce febrile peritonitis and sepsis if it ruptures.
Abscess: Fever, tender abdomen, complex/multiloculated cavity.