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$Unique_ID{BRK03594}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Cholecystitis}
$Subject{Cholecystitis Gall Bladder Disease Gallstone
Cholecystitis Acalculous Cholecystitis Hiatal Hernia Pancreatitis
Gastroenteritis Angina Pectoris Pyelonephritis Acute Appendicitis Alcoholic
Hepatitis Gastric Ulcer}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
701:
Cholecystitis
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Cholecystitis) is not
the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Gall Bladder Disease
Disorder Subdivisions:
Gallstone Cholecystitis
Acalculous Cholecystitis
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Hiatal Hernia
Pancreatitis
Gastroenteritis
Angina Pectoris
Pyelonephritis
Acute Appendicitis
Alcoholic Hepatitis
Gastric Ulcer
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder. It is usually
caused by gallstones. This can be an acute or chronic condition.
Symptoms
Cholecystitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the gallbladder. It
is characterized by abdominal pain which can be chronic or severe, chills,
nausea and vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, gassiness, fever, and referred
pain in the chest, shoulder and back. There may also be some discomfort and
pain after eating (especially at night), an intolerance to fatty foods and a
yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice). In severe cases there may be a
bacterial infection and eventual perforation of the gallbladder.
Acalulous Cholecystitis is a rare form of Cholecystitis. It is usually
associated with long-term fasting, previous surgeries, injuries, severe
burns, or immobility in disabled people. Gallstones are not present in
Acalulous Cholecystitis.
Since the symptoms of Cholecystitis are similar to many other diseases,
it is important to have a complete history and physical exam before a clear
diagnosis of Cholecystitis can be made. In some cases, specific diagnostic
tests such as ultrasonography, cholescintigraphy, tomography or oral
cholecystography may be necessary.
Causes
The exact cause of Cholecystitis is unknown. It usually results from the
formation of gallstones that can block the gallbladder's, cystic duct or the
common bile duct. These gallstones are usually composed of cholesterol.
Affected Population
Cholecystitis is a common disorder. It is more prevalent in females than
males. High blood cholesterol, advancing age and being overweight increases
the chance of developing gallbladder disease.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Cholecystitis.
Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Angina Pectoris is a disorder that causes pain in the heart muscle. It
is characterized by a tight feeling in the chest, shoulders, jaw, one or both
arms spreading down to the hands and occasionally the upper abdomen.
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas associated with a buildup
of digestive enzymes. The pancreas produces these enzymes to help break down
carbohydrates and proteins during digestion. It is characterized by nausea
and vomiting, fever, chills, severe abdominal pain and distention.
Pancreatitis can be caused by alcoholism, trauma, duodenal ulcer or
gallstones.
Gastroenteritis is usually due to a bacterial or viral infection that
causes an inflammation of the intestinal tract and stomach. It is
characterized by abdominal cramps and sometimes dehydration caused by a loss
of fluid due to vomiting and diarrhea.
Hiatal Hernia is due to a weakening of the muscle wall (diaphragm) that
divides the abdominal and chest cavity. This weakening causes the stomach to
bulge into the chest cavity. It is characterized by heartburn, belching and
a tightness or pain in the chest that may radiate to the neck, back, upper
chest and arm.
Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection of the kidneys and pelvis. It is
characterized by a sudden onset of fever and chills associated with back and
kidney (flank) pain, frequent and painful urination, nausea and vomiting.
Acute Appendicitis is a serious inflammation of the appendix. It is
characterized by severe abdominal pain and tenderness localizing in the right
lower abdomen, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.
Alcoholic Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a long
history of drinking. It is characterized by abdominal swelling, an enlarged
liver and spleen, loss of weight, fever, dehydration, nausea with or without
vomiting, and a yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice).
Gastric Ulcer is the erosion of a part of the stomach lining. It is
characterized by severe abdominal pain and nausea.
Therapies: Standard
The treatment of Cholecystitis depends on the cause of the inflammation.
When the inflammation occurs without gallstones, bed rest, weight loss and a
fat free diet may be helpful in relieving the symptoms. If there are
gallstones, then early surgical removal of the diseased gallbladder
(cholecystectomy) may be necessary. Patients with this disease who are a
high surgical risk treated have been treated successfully with the gallstone
dissolving drugs chenodiol and monooctanoin. Other treatment is symptomatic
and supportive.
Therapies: Investigational
At the present time studies are being conducted on the use of the gallstone
dissolution drug ursodeoxycholic acid, and extracorporeal ultrasound shock
waves (lithotripsy) as possible treatments for Cholecystitis. More research
will be needed to assure the long-term effectiveness and safety of these
treatments.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
December 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Cholecystitis, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Box NDIC
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 468-2162
References
INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown and
Co., 1987. Pp. 256.
THE MERCK MANUAL, Volume 2, 14th Ed.: Robert Berkow, M.D., ed.-in-chief;
Merck Sharp & Dohme Laboratories., 1982. Pp. 569.
HOW TO IMAGE THE GALLBLADDER IN SUSPECTED CHOLECYSTITIS. K. Martin et
al.; ANN INTERN MED, (November 1; issue 109 (9)). Pp. 722-729.
ACUTE ACALCULOUS CHOLECYSTITIS AFTER RADICAL CYSTECTOMY. T. Bauer et
al.; J UROL (January 1988; issue 139 (1)). Pp. 128-129.
USE OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY RISK SCORE IN THE TIMING OF OPERATIVE INTERVENTION
FOR ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS. K. Miyazaki et al.; ARCH SURG, (April 1988; issue
123 (4)). Pp. 487-489.
CHOLECYSTITIS AND CHOLELITHIASIS. E. Taylor et al.; PRIM CARE, (March
1988; issue 15 (1)). Pp. 147-156.