Gallstones Flashcards
What are the commonest causes of acute abdominal pain?
· nonspecific abdominal pain · cholelithiasis · renal colic · biliary colic · Cholecystitis · Appendicitis · Diverticulitis · Infection · Renal stones · Pancreatitis
What investigations can be carried out to make a diagnosis?
· Blood pressure
· Pregnancy test (to exclude possibility of ectopic pregnancy)
· FBC
· Serum electrolytes + CRP
· Creatinine + urine + general kidney function test
· ECG + serum troponin (to exclude MI)
· Abdominal X-ray
· US
· CT (not first line since most stones are radiolucent- don’t show up)
· Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan (cholescintigraphy -> using a radioactive tracer)
What could sudden onset of pain be caused by?
- perforated ulcer
- oesophageal tear or rupture
- nephrolithiasis
- biliary colic
- acute cholecystitis
- pancreatitis
- appendicitis
What could intermittent pain be caused by?
Bowel obstruction
What could persistent pain be caused by?
Diverticulitis
What actions exacerbate pain caused by cholecystitis or cholelithiasis?
Eating, especially eating fatty food.
Pain caused by what condition is exacerbated by movement?
Apendicitis
Pain relieved by eating that worsens after a few hours is caused by?
duodenal ulcer
What is biliary colic?
Temporary obstruction of the cystic duct/ CBD which causes colicky pain.
What are the symptoms?
- colicky pain
- vomiting
Describe what you would see in the bloods of a person with biliary colic?
- Normal WBC
- Normal CRP
THERE IS NO INFLAMMATION
What is cholecystitis?
Inflammation that is usually caused by gallstones.
Very rarely, it can be caused by poor perfusion of the gallbladder (acalulous cholecystitis by this only occurs in acutely unwell patients)
What sign alludes to cholecystitis?
Murphy’s sign (pain on inspiration in RIGHT UPPER QUADRANT)
Describe what you would see in the bloods of a person with cholecystitis?
Elevated WBC
High CRP
Fever
THERE IS INFLAMMATION
What is cholangitis?
Inflammation of the biliary tree which leads to infection. THIS IS THE MOST SEVERE.
What is the main symptom of cholangitis?
Jaundice