<unk>  is the<unk>  inflammation of the gallbladder.<unk>  calculous cholecystitis is usually caused by the mechanical obstruction due to gallstones. This obstruction leads to gallbladder stasis which is the primary mechanism leading to stone formation. Lith gene is also involved in the pathogenesis of cholecystitis. Cholecystitis is more common in siblings and first degree relatives of affected persons. On gross pathology,<unk>  usually shows enlarged or distended gallbladder and serosal or mucosal exudates. Fibrosis of gallbladder may also be seen. Microscopic pathology shows lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrates, metaplasia and lipid or mucolipid accumulations in the gallbladder wall.<unk>  may be classified according to causes into two major subtypes, acute calculous cholecystitis and acute acalculous cholecystitis. Gallstones have been found in 3500 years old Egyptian mummies during the autopsies. In 1420, Antonio Benivieni was the first to describe gallstones. Carl Langenbuch performed the first cholecystectomy of a 43-year-old man who had suffered from biliary colic for sixteen years. Historically, open cholecystectomy was the treatment employed for<unk> . Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was developed to treat<unk>  and the change in preference from open to laparoscopic cholecystectomy occurred in the late 1980s. Common causes of cholecystitis include cholelithiasis and infections. Common risk factors in the development of calculous cholecystitis (cholelithiasis) include female gender, increasing age, obesity, pregnancy, family history, genetic factors, and oral contraceptive use.  Common risk factors in the development of acalculous cholecystitis include AIDS, diabetes mellitus, major surgery, burns, sepsis, and long term total parenteral nutrition use. It is estimated that 20 to 25 million Americans (10%–15% of the population) have gallstones. However, only 1-4% experience symptomatic gallstone diseases. Gallstone disease usually affects individuals of the North American Indian race. Females are more commonly affected by acute cholecystitis than males. Acute cholecystitis cases are reported worldwide. Acute cholecystitis accounts for 700,000 cholecystectomies and costs of ∼$6.5 billion annually only in the United States. Females are more commonly affected by gallstone diseases than males for calculous cholecystitis. Males are at increased risk compared to females for acalculous cholecystitis following trauma and burns.<unk>  must be differentiated from other conditions that affect the gallbladder and biliary tract such as biliary colic, choledocholithiasis, and cholangitis.<unk>  must also be differentiated from colitis, functional bowel syndrome, hiatal hernia, and peptic ulcer. Cholecystitis presents with abdominal pain, which is not relieved by antacids and postural changes and lasts longer than 6 hours.  It is sometimes preceded by attacks of biliary pain (due to gallstones). Untreated cholecystitis resolves spontaneously in half of the uncomplicated cases without surgery in a span of 7 to 10 days. The complications of<unk>  include gangrenous cholecystitis, perforation of the gallbladder, Mirizzi syndrome, gallstone ileus, and gallbladder malignancies. The patients with<unk>  may have the history of recurrent episodes of biliary colic or acute cholecystitis. A positive history of biliary colic, nausea and vomiting are suggestive of<unk> . The most common symptoms of<unk>  are right upper quadrant abdominal or epigastric pain, pain is usually prolonged and there is a positive history of pain after ingestion of heavy fatty meals. The pain is severe and steady and may radiate to the back or right shoulder. Patients with<unk>  may have malaise during the episode. The physical examination in<unk>  is remarkable for tender right upper quadrant, fever (usually low grade in uncomplicated cases), and a positive Murphy's sign. Transabdominal ultrasonography is the initial study of choice for the diagnosis of<unk>  and gallstones. Cholescintigraphy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of<unk> . HIDA cholescintigraphy findings for<unk>  include delayed gallbladder isotope accumulation, irregular gallbladder filling, or photopenic areas and septations. Patients with acute cholecystitis are much more likely to manifest abnormal laboratory values, while in<unk>  the laboratory values are frequently normal. Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of<unk>  include elevated alkaline phosphatase, leukocytosis and elevated bilirubin. Amylase may also be elevated. CT scan findings associated with<unk>  include gallbladder wall thickening, gallbladder distension or contraction and subserosal edema. The mainstay of treatment for<unk>  is surgery.  Supportive measures are instituted to prepare the patient for surgery.  These include antimicrobial therapy and fluid resuscitation. If the<unk>  is superimposed by acute cholecystitis, antibiotics can be used. Commonly used antibiotics are  Cefazolin,  Cefuroxime, and Ceftriaxone. Gallbladder removal by cholecystectomy, can be accomplished by the open surgery or a laparoscopic procedure. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the operation of choice in uncomplicated calculous cholecystitis. Open cholecystectomy may be performed in complicated cases or when skilled personal for laparoscopic procedure is not available. Supportive measures are instituted in the meantime to prepare the patient for surgery. These measures include fluid resuscitation and antibiotics. Antibiotic regimens usually consist of a broad spectrum cephalosporin such as ceftriaxone and an antibacterial with good cover against anaerobic bacteria, such as metronidazole.
Chronic cholecystitis
Acute cholecystitis
Chronic pancreatitis
Choledocholithiasis
Gallstone disease
Gallstone pancreatitis
Ascending cholangitis
Hepatolithiasis