Gallstones

Question 1

What are most stones made up of?

Answer 1

Cholesterol

Question 2

What are the risk factors for gallstones?

Answer 2

Fat
Fair
Female
Forty

Question 3

What are the symptoms of gallstones?

Answer 3

Severe colicky epigastric or RUQ pain
Triggered by meals especially high fat meals
Lasting between 30mins - 8hours
N + V

Question 4

Why does biliary colic occur?

Answer 4

When fat enters the digestive system cholecystokinin is secreted from the duodenum which triggers contraction of the gallbladder.

Question 5

What would you expect on LFTs?

Answer 5

Raised bill and ALP

Question 6

What is the first initial investigation

Answer 6

USS

Question 7

What is the indication for ERCP?

Answer 7

cLEAR STONES from bile duct

Question 8

What are the complications of ERCP?

Answer 8

Excessive bleeding
Cholangitis
Pancreatitis

Question 9

What is post-cholecystectomy syndrome?

Answer 9

Non-specific symptoms occurring after cholecystectomy:
Diarrhoea
Indigestion
Epigastric or RUQ and discomfort
Nausea
Intolerance of fatty foods
Flatulence