Acute cholecystitis
Acute cholecystitis is swelling and irritation of the gallbladder happening suddenly. It usually occurs when a gallstone blocks the cystic duct.
Symptoms
Sudden pain in the upper right-hand side of your abdomen is the main symptom of acute cholecystitis. Unlike usual abdominal pain, this pain of acute cholecystitis is persistent and will not go away within a few hours.
Some experience other signs, including:
- Fever
- A bulge in the tummy
- Feeling sick
- Loss of appetite
- Sweating
- A lump in the tummy
- Skin turning yellow similar to whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Causes
The causes of acute cholecystitis can be into two main categories:
- Calculous cholecystitis
- Acalculous cholecystitis
Calculous cholecystitis
It is the most common and less severe. It happens for around 95% of all cases of Acute cholecystitis.
Calculous cholecystitis develops when a gallstone or biliary sludge blocks the gallbladder’s central opening. This blockage causes bile to assemble in the gallbladder leading to an increase in the pressure and causing it to become inflamed.
Acalculous cholecystitis
They are less common and more serious compared to Calculous cholecystitis.
It usually occurs by a severe illness, infection, or injury resulting in damage to the gallbladder.
Accidental damage to the gallbladder can be by;
- Serious injuries or burns
- Severe malnutrition
- HIV/AIDS
Diagnosis
Tests you may have to include the following:
- An ultrasound scan of your tummy
- Blood tests – to review for signs of inflammation in your body
- X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan – carried out to check your gallbladder in more detail
Prevention
It’s challenging to prevent acute cholecystitis, but you can try lowering your risk of getting it by reducing your risk of getting gallstones.
Main things to do:
- Have a healthy, balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- If obese, get a gradual weight loss plan
Treatments
If you have been diagnosed with acute cholecystitis, you go through the initial process; if it does not succeed, you’ll have to undergo surgery.
Primary treatment
Initial treatment will involve:
- Fasting to remove the strain from your gallbladder
- Having fluids drip directly into a vein to prevent dehydration
- Medicines to relieve your pain
You’ll also get antibiotics if it’s thought you have an infection. After undergoing primary treatments, the inflammation gets resolved.
Surgery
Cholecystectomy – removing your gallbladder
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 04 October 2022