Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder, which is most often caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct. This blockage causes bile to stop moving, raises the pressure inside the gallbladder, causes a secondary bacterial infection, and causes the wall of the gallbladder to swell up. Acute cholecystitis is characterised by continuous discomfort in the upper right quadrant, fever, nausea, vomiting, and a positive Murphy's sign upon clinical examination. Common lab results include leukocytosis and high levels of inflammatory markers.
Ultrasound is the initial imaging test that shows the thickness of the gallbladder wall, fluid around the gallbladder, and stones that are stuck. A hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan confirms cystic duct occlusion in unclear cases.
If not addressed, consequences can include empyema, gangrene, perforation, peritonitis, or the creation of a fistula. Chronic cholecystitis is caused by repeated episodes of inflammation and is marked by fibrosis and a smaller gallbladder.

Management entails hospitalisation, intravenous fluids, broad-spectrum antibiotics, analgesics, and prompt laparoscopic cholecystectomy, preferably within 72 hours after symptoms start. Early surgical surgery diminishes morbidity, the length of hospitalisation, and the likelihood of recurrence. Percutaneous cholecystostomy may be done as a temporary measure on patients who are very sick or at high risk. To avoid life-threatening biliary complications, it is important to make a quick diagnosis and follow a systematic plan for surgery.