Biliary Tract Dz Flashcards
What is the pathway of bile (Biliary Tract)?
- Bile Canaliculi
- Bile Ductules (in portal tracts)
- Intrahepatic Bile Ducts
- L and R Hepatic Ducts
- Merge to form the Common Hepatic Duct
- Exits liver and joins cystic duct to form the Common Bile Duct
- Joins with the Pancreatic duct to form the Ampulla of Vater
- Enters the Duodenum through the Sphincter of Oddi
This condition occurs in 7-15% of adults in the US and is typically asymptomatic in most patients, though they are susceptible to pain due to the occlusion of the cystic duct, passage into the common bile duct and/or erosion into the gall bladder wall that this condition can cause.
Cholelithiasis
Where are primary bile acids synthesized? Examples of primary bile acids?
Liver; cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic
Where are secondary bile acids created? Examples?
Gut bacteria; deoxycholic, lithocholic
If a patient is fasting, will the concentration of bile increase or decrease?
Gall Bladder will increase concentration about 10 fold when fasting.
When there is fat and protein in the duodenum, this will cause the release of _________ which will cause the Gall Bladder to _________.
CCK; contract (therefore releasing bile)
Where is the majority of bile acids absorbed?
Terminal Ileum
What are the three main causes of cholelithiasis?
- Hepatic secretion of bile supersaturated with cholesterol (lithogenic bile)
- Nucleation of cholesterol molecules (mucin, alpha-1 acid glycoproteins, IgG/IgM)
- Stasis of bile within the Gall Bladder
What are the primary risk factors for cholesterol stones?
- 40+ years old
- Females»_space; Men (2:1)
- Genetic predisposition
- Obesity
- Rapid Weight Loss/Bariatric Sx
- Those Native Americans…you know how they love cholesterol.
What are the secondary risk factors for cholesterol stones?
- TPN
- High estrogen levels (i.e. preggo, parity)
- Ileal Dz
- Ceftriaxone
- Parasites like Clonorchis sinesis
- DM
Circulation of the bile per day?
4-12 cycles
What are the three types of Stones? Technically 2 but one has 2 subcategories.
- Cholesterol — 75%
2. Pigmented Stones (Black or Brown) — 25%
When do we see black stones (aka bilirubinate)?
- Chronic Hemolysis
- Cirrhosis
When do we see brown stones (aka cholesterol)?
- Biliary Infection
- Stricture
- Post-spincterotomy
In patients with cholelithiasis (gallstones), how many are asymptomatic? And which risk factors/co-morbidities would we be looking for asymptomatic stones?
- DM pts
- Porcelain GB
- Sickle Cell Pts
- Native American Children
What percent of people with stones will develop chronic cholecystitis?
33%
What percent of people with stones will develop acute cholecystitis?
7-17%
WTH is a Porcelain Gall Bladder?
A condition where calcification may be caused by excess gall stones. It occurs predominantly in overweight female patients of middle age. It can be a variant of chronic cholecystitis.
Essentially, the inflammatory scarring of the wall and calcification can cause it to look porcelain.
Can be assc with GB cancer.
This type of pain is most common in patients with Chronic Cholecystitis.
Biliary or Colic Pain
What causes Biliary/Colic pain?
Neurohumerol input causes GB contraction which leads to the stone transiently occluding the opening of the cystic duct. Womp womp womp.
How does biliary/colic pain typically present?
Episodic pain!
Steady ache in the RUQ/epigastric pain that can radiates to the R scapula/shoulder
Begins abruptly and resolves slowly (30 min - 3 hr)
May be precipitated by large meals
Assc. symptoms? NV Bloating
PE: afebrile with or without
This condition refers to distention, edema, ischemia, inflammation and potential secondary infection that could most likely be caused by a stone or sludge obstructing the cystic duct.
Acute Cholecystitis
How would you diagnose cholelithiasis?
RUQ Ultrasound (95% sensitive and specific)
Exception: Common Bile Duct
How would you diagnose cholelithiasis if it is in the Common Bile Duct?
EUS and MRCP – 90-95% sensitivity and specificity
How do you manage cholelithiasis?
- Cholecystectomy (usually laparoscopic)
2. Oral Dissolution Therapy (Only 20-30% of stones are dissolved)
When would you want to completed a cholecystectomy?
Symptomatic, risk of a calcified or porcelain gallbladder, or potential malignancy
What is a common Oral Dissolution Therapy? And what does it do?
Ursodeocycholic Acid (Ursodiol) - Decreases intestinal absorption and increased nucleation time
What are some complications of cholelithiasis?
- Cholecystitis (develops in 30% of symptomatic biliary colic within 2 years)
- Cholangitis
- Pancreatitis (#1 cause of acute pancreatitis)
- Gallbladder carcinoma (~1%)
- Gallstone ileus
This is the condition defined by the inflammation of the gall bladder. It is commonly caused by cystic duct occlusion by a gall stone (95%) or rarely, acalculous (5%)
Cholecystitis
What will we see happen if there is a cystic duct occlusion by a gall stone in Cholecystitis?
Bile Stasis
Gall bladder wall edema
Gall bladder distention
What will we see happen if there is an acalculous cause of Cholecystitis?
Bile Stasis
Lithogenicity of Bile with or without Gall Bladder Wall Ischemia
What are some of the clinical manifestations of cholecystitis?
Steady RUQ or epigastric pain lasting 4+ hours
Nausea, Vomiting, Fever
PE: RUQ tenderness, Positive Murphy’s Sign
Labs: Increased WBC with or without increased bilirubin