Gallstones or Cholelithiasis involves the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder.

Choledocholithiasis refers to the presence of one or more gallstones in the common bile duct (CBD).

Treatment of gallstones depends on the stage of disease.

Symptoms and complications result from effects occurring within the gallbladder or from stones that escape the gallbladder to lodge in the CBD. Characteristics of biliary colic include the following:

• Sporadic and unpredictable episodes
• Pain that is localized to the epigastrium or right upper quadrant, sometimes radiating to the right scapular tip
• Pain that begins postprandially, is often described as intense and dull, typically lasts 1-5 hours, increases steadily over 10-20 minutes, and then gradually wanes
• Pain that is constant; not relieved by emesis, antacids, defecation, flatus, or positional changes; and sometimes accompanied by diaphoresis, nausea, and vomiting
• Nonspecific symptoms (eg, indigestion, dyspepsia, belching, or bloating)

Disclaimer: Symptoms may vary from person to person. The above information should not be interpreted as direct medical advice. 

Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder which occurs in approximately 20% of patients with gallstones (biliary colic) if they are left untreated. In most cases, cholecystitis is caused by gallstones that block the tube (cystic duct) leading out of your gallbladder. This results in a buildup of bile that can cause inflammation. Other causes of cholecystitis include bile duct problems and tumors.

If left untreated, cholecystitis can lead to serious complications, such as a gallbladder that becomes enlarged or ruptures. Once diagnosed, cholecystitis requires a hospital stay and treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Treatment for cholecystitis eventually includes gallbladder removal using keyhole method (laparoscopic cholecystectomy).

Signs and Symptoms

Cholecystitis signs and symptoms usually occur after a meal, particularly a large meal or a meal high in fat and may include:

• Pain in the upper right upper quadrant of abdomen
• Pain radiating your right shoulder or back
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Tenderness over your abdomen when it’s touchedAbdominal bloatingChills
• Palapable gallbladder (~30%)
• Jaundice (<15%)

Causes

Cholecystitis occurs when your gallbladder becomes inflamed. Gallbladder inflammation can be caused by:

• Gallstones – The vast majority of cholecystitis cases are the result of gallstones that block the cystic duct — the tube through which bile flows when it leaves the gallbladder — causing bile to build up and resulting in gallbladder inflammation.
• Tumor – A tumor may prevent bile from draining out of your gallbladder properly, causing bile buildup that can lead to cholecystitis (rare).

Risk Factors

The following factors may increase your risk of cholecystitis: (5Fs – Fatty, Female, Fertile, Forty and Fifty)

• Gallstones – Most cases of cholecystitis are linked to gallstones. If you have gallstones, you’re at high risk of developing cholecystitis.
• Being female – Women have a greater risk of gallstones than men do. This makes women more likely to develop cholecystitis.
• Increasing age – As you get older, your risk of gallstones increases, as does your risk of cholecystitis.

Complications

Cholecystitis can lead to a number of serious complications, including:

• Enlarged gallbladder – If your gallbladder becomes inflamed due to bile buildup, it may stretch and swell beyond its normal size, which can cause pain and increase the risk of a tear (perforation) in your gallbladder, as well as infection and tissue death.
• Infection within the gallbladder – If bile builds up within your gallbladder, causing cholecystitis, the bile may become infected.
• Death of gallbladder tissue – Untreated cholecystitis can cause tissue in the gallbladder to die (gangrene), which in turn can lead to a tear in the gallbladder, or it may cause your gallbladder to burst.
• Torn gallbladder – A tear (perforation) in your gallbladder may be caused by an enlarged or infected gallbladder that occurs as a result of cholecystitis.