Gallbladder Clinical Considerations
- Gallstones are hardened concretions formed in the gallbladder or bile duct.
- Concretions are solid masses formed by deposited material.
- Cholesterol crystals commonly fuse to form gallstones.
- Bile duct stones can block bile movement outside the gallbladder.
- Cystic duct obstruction prevents normal gallbladder emptying.
- Painful obstruction can occur when gallbladder contraction pushes against a blocked duct.
- Dissolution means chemically breaking down stones without surgery.
- Fragmentation means physically breaking stones into smaller pieces.
- Surgical removal may be required when less invasive gallstone treatments fail.
- Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder.
- Acute cholecystitis develops suddenly and can cause severe symptoms.
- Chronic cholecystitis persists or recurs over time.
- Repeated acute episodes can lead to chronic cholecystitis.
- Right-upper-quadrant pain is typical of acute gallbladder inflammation.
- Nausea and vomiting can accompany acute cholecystitis.
- Gallbladder removal may be required when inflammation or obstruction is severe.
- Clinical connection is direct: gallstones can obstruct the cystic duct, causing bile retention, pain, and inflammation.
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