Cholelithiasis - Gallbladder and Bile Ducts

Gallbladder and Bile Ducts

·        Cholecystitis = inflamed gallbladder (eg due to stone impacted in gallbladder or cystic duct). Acute or chronic

·        Cholangitis = bile duct infection: RUQ pain, jaundice & rigors

·        Choledocholithiasis = gallstones in common bile duct

·        Cholecystoliathiasis = gallstones in gallbladder (??)

·        Cholecystectomy = gall bladder out

Cholelithiasis

·        = Gall stones.

·        Cholesterol stones:

o  85% of stones 

o  Incidence: Northern European ancestry, ­age, female, obesity 

o  Caused by supersaturation of the bile with cholesterol ® precipitation around bits of junk (eg epithelium) 

o  Appearance: either pure pale yellow and radiolucent, or mixed grey „gravel‟ – more dangerous as can squeeze through cystic duct

·        Pigment stones:

o  15% of stones

o  Incidence: Asian, haemolysis, alcoholic cirrhosis, biliary infection, ­age

o  Excess unconjugated bilirubin

o  Appearance: small, jet black and ovoid