Final Flashcards
What is cholelithiasis?
Precipitate formed by the concentration of cholesterol and/or pigments in the gallbladder.
What is cholecystitis?
Inflammation of the gallbladder caused by irritation d/t stasis of concentrated bile.
What is choledocholithiasis?
Gallstones located in the common bile duct.
What is cholangitis? What can cause cholangitis?
Inflammation of the common bile duct.
May be caused by autoimmune diseases, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis
What hormone causes contraction of the gallbladder?
Cholecystokinin
What makes up the contents of bile?
Bile pigment
Cholesterol (5%)
Calcium salts
Water
What is the relationship between calcium salts and gallstones?
High [Ca2+] = Bile flows freely
Low [Ca2+] = Bile is viscous and precipitates
What are yellow stones?
Precipitate formed d/t high concentrations of cholesterol in the bile. D/t poor lipid metabolism (obesity or pregnancy)
What type of gallstone is most common?
Yellow stones (75-80% of all gallstones)
What are black stones?
Precipitate formed d/t high concentrations of bilirubin in the bile d/t excessive breakdown of RBC.
What are brown stones?
Precipitate formed d/t a mix of high concentrations of cholesterol and pigment in the bile.
Who is most at risk for yellow stones?
Women
Multigravida women
First Nations
Who is most at risk for black stones?
Patients with:
Sickle cell anemia
Splenomegaly
Hemolytic anemia
Where are brown stones usually located? What can precede the formation of brown stones?
In the common bile duct. Associated with infection.
What is the most extreme complication of gallstones?
Obstruction of the common bile duct leading to pancreatitis. Causes extreme pain in RUQ d/t highly vascular structure. Enzymes back up and cause degradation of the pancreas.
What are common complications of gallstones?
Cholecystitis
Secondary obstruction
What is the pathophysiology of biliary reflux?
- Gallbladder contracts.
- Bile is sent down common bile duct.
- Blockage forms in ampulla of Vater; bile cannot enter duodenum.
- Bile goes up pancreatic duct.
- Bile in pancreas disrupts tissues; digestive enzymes activated.
What is the relationship between cholestasis and intrahepatic biliary disorders? Describe the pathology.
- Bile flow in the liver slows down
- Bile accumulates and forms plugs in the ducts.
- Ducts rupture and damage liver cells. AST, ALT, and ALP are released into blood.
- Liver is unable to continue processing bilirubin
- Increased bile acids in blood and skin (puritus)
What is primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)?
Autoimmune disease causing neutrophils to be present in the intrahepatic bile duct. Neutrophils release inflammatory mediators which cause the gallbladder wall to thicken.
Gallbladder shuts down, bile release decreases, bile backs up into the liver causing liver damage.
Who is most affected by primary biliary cirrhosis?
Women 9:1
What are some diseases of the extrahepatic bile ducts?
Bile duct carcinoma Hodgkin disease, metastatic carcinoma (enlarged lymph nodes) Sclerosing cholangitis Post operative stricture of the bile duct Congenital biliary atresia Pancreatic carcinoma Gallstones Carcinoma of the ampulla of vater
What is primary sclerosing cholangitis?
Bile ducts appears beaded with alternating narrow and flared segments. Victims usually have another inflammatory disorder such as ulcerative colitis.
Who is most affected by sclerosing cholangitis?
Men are more affected than women 3 to 1.
How is sclerosing cholangitis treated?
Treat with long acting anti-inflammatory medication.