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Acute cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe abdominal pain.

See also: Chronic cholecystitis

Cholecystitis - acute

In 90% of cases, acute cholecystitis is caused by gallstones in the gallbladder. Severe illness and, rarely, tumors of the gallbladder may also cause cholecystitis.

Acute cholecystitis causes bile to become trapped in the gallbladder. The buildup of bile causes irritation and pressure in the gallbladder. This can lead to bacterial infection and perforation of the organ.

Gallstones occur more frequently in women than men. Gallstones become more common with age in both sexes. Native Americans have a higher rate of gallstones.

The main symptom is abdominal pain that is located on the upper right side or upper middle of the abdomen. The pain may:

• Be sharp, cramping, or dull
• Come and go
• Spread to the back or below the right shoulder blade
• Occur within minutes of a meal

Other symptoms that may occur include:

• Abdominal fullness
• Clay-colored stools
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)

A physical exam will show that your abdomen is tender to the touch.

Your doctor may order the following blood tests:

• Amylase and lipase
• Bilirubin
• Complete blood count ( CBC) -- may show a higher than normal white blood cell count
• Liver function tests

Imaging tests that can show gallstones or inflammation include:

• Abdominal ultrasound
• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal x-ray
• Oral cholecystogram
• Gallbladder radionuclide scan

Patients who have surgery to remove the gallbladder usually do very well.

• Empyema (pus in the gallbladder)
• Gangrene (tissue death) of the gallbladder
• Injury to the bile ducts draining the liver (a rare complication of cholecystectomy)
• Pancreatitis
• Peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdomen)

Call your health care provider if severe abdominal pain persists.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of cholecystitis recur after an acute episode.

Removal of the gallbladder and gallstones will prevent further attacks. Follow a low-fat diet if you are prone to gallstone attacks.

Siddiqui T. Early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Am J Surg. 2008;195(1):40-47.

Chari RS, Shah SA. Biliary system. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2008:chap. 54.

Afdhal N. Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap. 159.