Gallbladder & Biliary Tract Disorders Flashcards
Which hormone stimulates the gallbladder to release bile into the duodenum?
Cholecystokinin (CCK)
What is bile used for?
Emulsify fats
Assist with the excretion of cholesterol
Types of Biliary Tract Disorders
Cholelithiasis Choledocholithiasis Acute cholecystitis Cholangitis Primary sclerosing cholangitis Primary biliary cirrhosis CA of the biliary tract Hyperbilirubinemia
Define Cholelithiasis
Formation of gallstones which are solid concentrations of varying quantities of cholesterol, Ca, and bilirubin
What leads to the formation of cholesterol stones?
Supersaturation of bile with cholesterol and GB hypomotility
Types of Gallstones
Cholesterol (90%)
Pigmented (10%)
Types of Pigmented Gallstones
Black stones: contain Ca bilirubinate, associated with cirrhosis and hemolysis
Brown stones: associated with biliary tract stasis & infection
Major Risk Factors for the Development of Gallstones
Age Female Genetic Pregnancy Obesity Rapid weight loss Cirrhosis Hemolytic anemias Hypertriglyceridemia Medications: BC, clofibrate, ceftriaxone, octreotide Terminal ileal resection Gallbladder stasis Reduced physical activity
The 4 F’s of Cholelithiasis
Fat
Fertile
Female
Forty
Signs/Symptoms of Cholelithiasis
Biliary colic
Steady RUQ pain radiates to back/R shoulder
Nausea
Pain after eating
Treatment of Cholelithiasis
Observation
Cholecystectomy
Consider Prophylactic Cholecystectomy in these Patients
Diabetics Porcelain gallbladder Sickle cell disease Hereditary spherocytosis Gastric bypass
Define Porcelain Gallbladder
Blue discoloration & brittle consistency
Due to calcification from excessive gallstones
Gallstone Complications
Gallstone ileus Gallstone pancreatitis Acute cholecystitis Choledocholithiasis Cholangitis Bile duct injuries
Define Gallstone Ileus
Stone erodes through GB wall and develops a cholecystoenteric fistula leading to obstruction of narrowest segment of bowel causing ileus
Protective Factors of Cholelithiasis
Statins
Ascorbic acid
Coffee- caffeinated
Vegetable protein
Define Choledocholithiasis
Presence of gallstones within the common bile duct
Signs/Symptoms of Choledocholithiasis
RUQ/epigastric pain
N/V
LFT’s elevated
Bilirubin & alkaline phosphatase may be elevated
Choledocholithiasis Imaging
Transabdominal ultrasound
Abdominal CT
ERCP
Intraoperative cholangiography or ultrasonography
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
What is the gold standard for diagnosis of choledocholithiasis?
ERCP
Advantages of an ERCP
Therapeutic option
Stone retrieval
Sphincterotomy
Complications of an ERCP
Pancreatitis
Cholangitis
Perforation of duodenum or bile duct
Bleeding
Advantage of an MRCP
Detects choledocholithiasis, neoplasms, strictures, biliary dilations
High sensitivity & specificity
Minimally invasive
Disadvantages of an MRCP
Cannot sample bile, test cytology, remove stone
Contraindications for an MRCP
Pacemaker
Implants
Prosthetic valves
Indications for an MRCP
Cholangitis not severe
Risk of ERCP high
Treatment for Choledocholithiasis
Remove the stone via ERCP, lithotripsy, lap CBD exploration
Define Acute Cholecystitis
Syndrome of RUQ pain, fever, and leukocytosis associated with gallbladder inflammation usually caused by cystic duct obstruction
Important Findings on H&P
RUQ/epigastric pain which radiates to right shoulder Anorexia N/V Fever \+ Murphy's sign Jaundice
Diagnostics of Acute Cholecystitis
LFT's & bilirubin elevated CBC: left shift CRP elevated US: stones/sludge, pericholecystic fluid, distended GB, thickened GB wall HIDA scan: failure of GB filling
What is the imagining modality of choice for the gallbladder?
US