Pancreatic and Hepatic Disorders Flashcards
Treatment for asymptomatic gallstones
Cholecystectomy is not recommended in asymptomatic pts. Only 10% of pts with asymptomatic gallstones develop sx in 5-yr period.
Exceptions include: immunocompromised pts, porcelain gallbladder, gallstones >3cm are a/w development of gallbladder CA
Treatment for asymptomatic gallstones
Cholecystectomy is not recommended in asymptomatic pts. Only 10% of pts with asymptomatic gallstones develop sx in 5-yr period.
Exceptions include: immunocompromised pts, porcelain gallbladder, gallstones >3cm are a/w development of gallbladder CA
DDx for acute RUQ pain + N/V, anorexia and guarding/tenderness in RUQ
Cholelithiasis, biliary colic, acute cholecystitis
DDx for RUQ pain
Gastroenteritis, PUD, acute hepatitis, renal colic, pleural based pneumonia, pyelonephritis
Risk factors for gallstones
- Increasing age
- FHx of gallstones
- Female sex
- Obesity
- Hx of recent pregnancy
- Previous hx of gallstones
US findings suggestive of gallstones
- Thickening of gallbladder wall
- Pericholecystic fluid
- Presence of gallstones
Treatment for sympomatic cholelithiasis
Cholecystectomy
Treatment for sympomatic cholelithiasis
Cholecystectomy
DDx for acute RUQ pain + N/V, anorexia and guarding/tenderness in RUQ
Cholelithiasis, biliary colic, acute cholecystitis
DDx for RUQ pain
Gastroenteritis, PUD, acute hepatitis, renal colic, pleural based pneumonia, pyelonephritis
Risk factors for gallstones
- Increasing age
- FHx of gallstones
- Female sex
- Obesity
- Hx of recent pregnancy
- Previous hx of gallstones
US findings suggestive of gallstones
- Thickening of gallbladder wall
- Pericholecystic fluid
- Presence of gallstones
Blood chemistries workup of cholelithiasis/findings suggestive of cholelithiasis
- CBC w/differential - mild leukocytosis 12-15K
- Amylase/Lipase
- LFTs - bilirubin 2-3mg/dL d/t inflammation and cholestasis (NOT D/T COMMON BILE DUCT OBSTRUCTION); elevated Alk phos and transaminases
Treatment for sympomatic cholelithiasis
Cholecystectomy
Indications for ABx in pts with symptomatic cholelithiasis
A single dose of 1st gen cephalosporin perioperatively is sufficient. Exceptions: 1. >70yo 2. Acute cholecystitis 3. History of obstructive jaundice 4. Common duct stones 5. Jaundice 6. Pts undergoing pre-op ERCP
Tx for acute cholecystitis with cholelithiasis
- obtain blood cultures
- Start ABx covering gram-neg rods and anaerobes (2nd gen cephalosporin against E. Coli, eneterobacter, klebsiella, enterococcus
- IV fluids
- NPO diet
- NG tube placement in the case of N/V
- Surgery in the next 48-72hrs
How does an elevated Alk phos AND elevated bili change the clinical picture/mgmt plan?
Suspect common bile duct obstruction in case of jaundice or elevated LFT’s. If US shows dilated bile ducts suspect obstruction of common bile duct. If common bile duct obstructed the stone MUST be cleared
Tx for common bile duct obstruction
- ERCP + lap chole
- Lap chole + intraoperative cholangiogram and common bile duct exploration
- lap chole + postop ERCP
Notes: stones <3mm in size only require observation b/c they may often pass
Mgmt of symptomatic cholelithiasis in a pregnant pt
- Gallstone pancreatitis and symptomatic cholelithiasis may be tx NONoperatively in most pregnant pts by hydration and pain mgmt.
- If pain is recurrent or if there is biliary colic/acute cholecystitis/obstructive jaundice/peritoninits then an ERCP or surgery is justified (surgery is safest in the second tri)
- Gallbladder should be removed after delivery
Air in the walls of the gallbladder
Emphysematous gallbladder d/t invasion of gallbladder by gas-forming bacteria
Mgmt of biliary pancreatitis
- Cholangiogram is MANDATORY
- In case of significant complications from pancreatitis (high fluid req, hypocalcemia, oliguria, hypotension, pulmonary complications) then cholecystectomy must be DELAYED
- Dilated common bile duct or stone in distal duct then ERCP must be performed to relieve the obstruction
DDx for RUQ pain, gallstones on US, and fever w/hypotension
High fever is indicative of acute cholecystitis or complication of gallbladder disease (cholangitis, empyema or gallbladder, pericholecystic abscess)
What does a “distended gallbladder with fluid that has internal echoes and gallstones” suggest? Mgmt?
Empyema of the gallbladder.
Tx = IV ABx and EMERGENT exploration with cholecystectomy or percutaneous cholecystotomy (if pt is in poor general health…lower risk procedure)
Implications of air in biliary system and dilated common bile duct in pt with hx of cholecystectomy. Mgmt?
Suppurative cholangitis resulting from bacterial infxn by gas-forming organisms with bile duct obstruction. Pt may have jaundice.
1.Emergent ERCP w/sphincterotomy
2. Decompression of biliary tree
3. Stone removal
OR
Transhepatic cholangiogram w/stone extraction
OR
Cholecysteectomy w/common bile duct drainage
Pt presenting with RUQ pain and has very high fever, hypotension, and WBC >20K. Same thing in an elderly pt?
Acute biliary sepsis requires emergent eval, ABx, and IV fluids. Elderly pts may present with sx of sepsis with hypothermia and leukopenia!
Tender 3cm palpable mass in the RUQ w/fever and mental obtundation
Inflamed gallbladder and surrounding omentum requires emergent cholecystectomy b/c of risk of gallbladder rupture. The obtundation is a sx of sepsis
If distal CBD obstruction present but no mass on US
Contrast abd CT to visualize the distal common duct area b/c of better visualization than US b/c intestinal gas obscures the view
Jaundice w/elevated bili, fever, RUQ pain/tenderness. Mgmt?
Acute cholangitis req resuscitation, ABx, urgent US of biliary tree w/ERCP and biliary decompression
Differentiating pancreatic CA from acute cholangitis
Pancreatic CA is a/w abd/back pain, wt loss, and jaundice
Jaundice w/elevated bili, fever, RUQ pain/tenderness AND recent cholecystectomy
Retained stone in common bile duct (within 2yrs of surgery). Requires RUQ US and possible ERCP and/or bile duct exploration.
If no stone found then consider biliary stricture d/t injury from previous surgery. Tx = surgical exploration w/bypass of stricture w/choledochojejunostomy