Pathology of the Gallbladder and Biliary Tract

Question 1

what is choleithiasis?

Answer 1

gall stones

Question 2

Why do gallstones form?

Answer 2

when there is an imbalance in the usual ratio of cholesterol to bile salts within the bile

Question 3

what are pigment stones?

Answer 3

this is when there is excess bilirubin

Question 4

why do pigment stones occur?

Answer 4

haemolytic anaemia, chronic infections and after ileal resections

Question 5

what is cholecystitis?

Answer 5

inflammation of the gallbladder

Question 6

what is cholangitis?

Answer 6

infection of the biliary tree

Question 7

RUQ pain + jaundice + fever

Answer 7

Charcot’s triad (cholangitis)

Question 8

why does acute cholecystitis occur?

Answer 8

gallstones blocking the cystic duct so bile cannot flow out

Question 9

features of chronic cholecystitis

Answer 9

gallbladder wall is thickened, but not distended

Question 10

Malignant Carcinoma of the bile ducts

Answer 10

cholangiocarcinoma (adenocarcinoma)

• associated with IBD
• mucus secreting

Question 11

who gets malignant carcinoma of the gallbladder

Answer 11

• rare

- 70 year old women