Biliary Tract Disease Flashcards
Gallstones may cause which conditions
- Colic (pain)
- Cholecystitis
- Jaundice
- Pancreatitis
- Bowel obstruction
What may cause gallstone formation?
- Abnormal bile salt composition
- Bile stasis
- Infection
- Excess cholesterol
- Excess bilirubin
Most gallstones are composed of what?
Most have a mixture of components
What are the five Fs in relation to gallbladder risk factors?
- Fair
- Fat
- Female
- Forty
- Fertile
What exactly causes biliary colic?
Gallstones in the cystic duct
What is cholecystitis?
Inflammation of the gallbladder usually caused by an obstruction of the cystic duct
It may later become infected
What is the first line test for gallstones?
Ultrasound
(second line is MRCP)
How is biliary colic treated?
- Low fat diet and weight loss
- Cholecystectomy
- Ursodeoxycholic acid (if surgery is not an option)
How is acute cholecystitits treated?
- IV antibiotics and fluids
- Urgent surgery
Why are gallstones sometimes associated with jaundice?
Stones can migrate into the common bile duct blocking it
(post hepatic jaundice)
Which two methods can remove stones from the gallbladder?
- ERCP
- Surgery
What are two of the main causes of acute pancreatitits?
- Alcohol
- Gallstones
Why may a gallstone cause acute pancreatitits?
It can block the sphincter of Oddi and backpressure of pancreatic enzymes occurs in the pancreas
These enzymes prematurely activate and can digest pancreatic tissue causing inflammation
What is gallstone ileus?
This is when a gallstone causes obstruction in the bowel
