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Cholecystitis

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Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder. It is a major complication of cholelithiasis (i.e. gallstones). Symptomatic gallstones are common before cholecystitis develops.

The most common cause is gallstones, accounting for 95% of cases:

  • about 1% to 2% of people with asymptomatic gallstones become symptomatic each year. (1) Acute cholecystitis occurs in about 10% of symptomatic patients (2)
  • is 3 times more common in women than in men up to the age of 50 years, and is about 1.5 times more common in women than in men over the age of 50 (3)

Less commonly, cholecystitis may result from:

  • trauma
  • surgery
  • primary infection, e.g. from Salmonella typhi - the typhoid gallbladder - or from Ascari lumbricoides - ascariasis
  • total parenteral nutrition

References:

  1. Abraham S, Rivero HG, Erlikh IV, et al. Surgical and nonsurgical management of gallstones. Am Fam Physician. 2014 May 15;89(10):795-802.
  2. Ko CW, Lee SP. Gastrointestinal disorders of the critically ill. Biliary sludge and cholecystitis. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2003 Jun;17(3):383-96.
  3. Indar AA, Beckingham IJ. Acute cholecystitis. BMJ. 2002 Sep 21;325(7365):639-43.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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