Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis Definition
Cholecystitis is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the gall bladder. It is mainly caused by gallstones or choleliths which block the cystic duct. The blocking of the bile ducts leads to complications such as bile stasis, inspissation of the bile, and infection done by gut organisms. The disease takes place when the gall bladder's wall becomes swollen. Sometimes this inflammation may develop into necrosis and damage other structures such as the bowel and diaphragm.
Cholecystitis Diagnosis
Cholecystitis is diagnosed after a patient exhibits the following results after a series of tests: Low grade fever Murphy's sign (tender right upper quadrant) For those with acute cholecystitis, diagnostic tests show results of: Epigastric pain Perforated peptic ulcer Acute peptic ulcer Amoebic liver abscess Acute pancreatitis Intestinal obstruction Chronic cholecystitis meanwhile exhibit the following: Peptic ulcer Colitis Functional bowel syndrome Hiatus hernia
Cholecystitis Symptoms and Signs
Patients with cholecystitis usually feel extreme pain at the scapular region, as well as fever, nausea and vomiting. Other signs of the disease include shock and jaundice, which indicate that cholecystitis has already done complications suchas ascending cholangitis and gallstone ileus. A person with cholecystitis may also suffer from diarrhea and extreme abdominal pain.
Cholecystitis Treatment
The most effective way to treat cholecystitis is by removing the gall bladder through surgery. Supportive medications are also given in preparation for surgery and these include antibiotics and fluid resuscitation. Antibiotics used for treatment consist of cephalosporin agents like ceftriaxone, and metronidazole. The patient then undergoes cholecystectomy, or the removal of the gall bladder. It can be done through a laparoscopic procedure or open surgery. Open surgeries are done only when complications have already developed and if the patient has had prior surgery in that area. Laparascopic procedures are less morbid, but it can be converted into an open surgery when the doctor feels that it might instead harm the patient. When severe inflammation occurs during surgery, the surgeon would require a radiologist to insert a percutaneous cholecystotomy tube to treat the patient with medications until it resolves.