Acute Cholecystitis

Excerpt

Acute cholecystitis involves inflammation of the gallbladder, most commonly caused by obstruction of the cystic duct by a gallstone. In fewer cases, impaired gallbladder emptying due to cholestasis and acute illness contributes to the condition. Surgical intervention remains the preferred treatment, though selected patients may benefit from conservative management with antibiotics and supportive care based on clinical context.

Cholecystitis can occur with or without gallstones and is classified as either acute or chronic. Both men and women experience this condition, although women tend to have a higher susceptibility. The acute form typically presents with well-recognized signs and symptoms; however, clinical overlap with disorders, eg, peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome, cardiac conditions, and pancreatitis, can complicate diagnosis.