Gallbladder and Biliary Emergencies

Abstract

Acute cholecystitis is initiated by a gallstone, which obstructs the gallbladder’s outlet. Its spontaneous dislodgement results in so-called biliary colic, while persisting impaction of the stone produces gallbladder distension and inflammation, namely, AC. The latter is initially chemical, but gradually, as gut bacteria invade the inflamed organ, infection supervenes. The combination of distension, ischemia, and infection may result in a gallbladder empyema, necrosis, perforation, pericholecystic abscess, or bile peritonitis. Doubtless you must have heard or read numerous times about the classical symptoms and signs of AC. Let us therefore concentrate on problem areas.