Cholelithiasis Flashcards
what is cholelithiasis
- Most common disease of the gallbladder
* Single large gallstone or multiple smaller stones
are small or big stones more dangerous
Tiny stones represent a larger risk due to the potenrial for biliary obstrction after entering the bilary ducts and prevent the outflow of bile
Symptoms of cholelithiasis
- Usually asymptomatic until a stone is lodged within bile ducts, causing bilairy colic
- Acute RUQ pain
- Epigastric pain with radiation to right shoulder after a high fat meal
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pain lasts only until the stone dislodges or passes through the cystic duct
causes of cholelithiasis
Five F’s (Fat, female, forty, fertile, fair)
•Pregnancy, diabetes, oral contraceptives, TPN
Associated lab findings
“•Check bilirubin levels
•Acute increase in amylase
•Abnormal LFTs (Increased Alkaline phosphatase)
•AST/ALT may be normal “
Sonographic appearance
“•Dilated gallbladder
•Hyperechoic intraluminal echoes with posterior acoustic shadowing
•WES sign
•Gravity dependant calcifications in gallbladder “
DD
"•Duodenal gas •Porcelain gallbladder •Sludge •Sludge ball •Gallbladder polyps "
GB Polyps
These do not move – attached to wall
Sludge balls
Usually larger and without a shadow