Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017 | 
Chronic cholecystitis
Cholecystitis - chronic
Chronic cholecystitis is swelling and irritation of the gallbladder that continues over time.
The gallbladder is a sac located under the liver. It stores bile that is made in the liver. Bile helps the intestines digest fats.
Causes
Most of the time, chronic cholecystitis is caused by repeated attacks of acute (sudden) cholecystitis. Most of these attacks are caused by gallstones in the gallbladder.
These attacks cause the walls of the gallbladder to thicken. The gallbladder begins to shrink. Over time, the gallbladder is less able to concentrate, store, and release bile.
The disease occurs more often in women than in men. It is more common after age 40.
Symptoms
Acute cholecystitis is a painful condition that leads to chronic cholecystitis. It is not clear whether chronic cholecystitis causes any symptoms.
Acute cholecystitis
Acute cholecystitis is sudden swelling and irritation of the gallbladder. It causes severe belly pain.
Symptoms of acute cholecystis can include:
- Sharp, cramping, or dull pain in upper right or upper middle of your belly
- Steady pain lasting about 30 minutes
- Pain that spreads to your back or below your right shoulder blade
- Clay-colored stools
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider may order the following blood tests:
-
Amylase
and lipase. To diagnose diseases of the pancreas.
Amylase
Amylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is made in the pancreas and the glands that make saliva. When the pancreas is diseased or ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Complete blood count
(CBC)
Complete blood count
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The tota...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Liver function tests
. To evaluate how well the liver is working.
Liver function tests
Liver function tests are common tests that are used to see how well the liver is working. Tests include:AlbuminAlpha-1 antitrypsin Alkaline phosph...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
Tests that reveal gallstones or inflammation in the gallbladder include:
Gallstones
Gallstones are hard deposits that form inside the gallbladder. Gallstones may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.
-
Abdominal CT scan
Abdominal CT scan
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Gallbladder scan (HIDA scan)
- Oral cholecystogram
Treatment
Surgery is the most common treatment. Surgery to remove the gallbladder is called cholecystectomy.
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is most often done. This surgery uses smaller surgical cuts, which result in a faster recovery. Many people are able to go home from the hospital on the same day as surgery, or the next morning.
- Open cholecystectomy requires a larger cut in the upper-right part of the abdomen.
If you are too ill to have surgery because of other diseases or conditions, the gallstones may be dissolved with medicine you take by mouth. However, this may take 2 years or longer to work. The stones may return after treatment.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Cholecystectomy is a common procedure with a low risk.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
-
Cancer
of the gallbladder (rarely)
Cancer
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Jaundice
- Pancreatitis
- Worsening of the condition
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of cholecystitis.
Prevention
The condition is not always preventable. Eating less fatty foods may relieve symptoms in people. However, the benefit of a low-fat diet has not been proven.
References
Wang DQH, Afdhal NH. Gallstone disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2010:chap 65.
-
Cholecystitis, CT scan - illustration
This is a CT scan of the upper abdomen showing cholecystitis (gall stones).
Cholecystitis, CT scan
illustration
-
Cholecystitis, cholangiogram - illustration
Cholelithiasis can be seen on a cholangiogram. Radio-opaque dye is used to enhance the x-ray. Multiple stones are present in the gallbladder (PTCA).
Cholecystitis, cholangiogram
illustration
-
Cholecystolithiasis - illustration
Cholecystolithiasis. CT scan of the upper abdomen showing multiple gallstones.
Cholecystolithiasis
illustration
-
Gallstones, cholangiogram - illustration
A cholecystogram in a patient with gallstones.
Gallstones, cholangiogram
illustration
-
Cholecystogram - illustration
A cholecystogram is an x-ray procedure used to help evaluate the gallbladder. For the procedure, a special diet is consumed prior to the test and contrast tablets are also swallowed to help visualize the gallbladder on x-ray. The test is used to help in diagnosing disorders of the liver and gallbladder, including gallstones and tumors.
Cholecystogram
illustration
-
Cholecystitis, CT scan - illustration
This is a CT scan of the upper abdomen showing cholecystitis (gall stones).
Cholecystitis, CT scan
illustration
-
Cholecystitis, cholangiogram - illustration
Cholelithiasis can be seen on a cholangiogram. Radio-opaque dye is used to enhance the x-ray. Multiple stones are present in the gallbladder (PTCA).
Cholecystitis, cholangiogram
illustration
-
Cholecystolithiasis - illustration
Cholecystolithiasis. CT scan of the upper abdomen showing multiple gallstones.
Cholecystolithiasis
illustration
-
Gallstones, cholangiogram - illustration
A cholecystogram in a patient with gallstones.
Gallstones, cholangiogram
illustration
-
Cholecystogram - illustration
A cholecystogram is an x-ray procedure used to help evaluate the gallbladder. For the procedure, a special diet is consumed prior to the test and contrast tablets are also swallowed to help visualize the gallbladder on x-ray. The test is used to help in diagnosing disorders of the liver and gallbladder, including gallstones and tumors.
Cholecystogram
illustration
Review Date: 1/22/2015
Reviewed By: Subodh K. Lal, MD, Gastroenterologist with Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia, Austell, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
