What Are the Symptoms of Cholecystitis?
May 31, 2019
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Duo
Introduction
Cholecystitis can be classified into acute cholecystitis and chronic cholecystitis.
1. Acute cholecystitis: Abdominal pain, primarily presenting as colicky pain in the right upper quadrant.
2. Chronic cholecystitis: Recurrent dull pain or discomfort in the right upper quadrant; jaundice typically does not occur.
Cholecystitis can be classified into acute and chronic forms.
1. Acute cholecystitis: Abdominal pain—primarily manifesting as colicky pain in the right upper quadrant—often occurs after consuming high-fat meals. Systemic symptoms such as chills, fever, and rigors are commonly present. Mild jaundice may develop in some patients; severe jaundice may occur if a stone becomes impacted in the common bile duct.
2. Chronic cholecystitis: Recurrent, dull, or vague discomfort in the right upper quadrant; jaundice is typically absent.
Cholecystitis is a relatively common condition with a high incidence rate. Based on its clinical presentation and course, it is further categorized into acute and chronic forms and frequently coexists with cholelithiasis. Severe or colicky pain in the right upper quadrant is commonly observed in acute cholecystitis caused by impaction of stones or parasites at the cystic duct neck. Pain typically begins abruptly and is often intense or colicky in nature.
In non-obstructive acute cholecystitis (i.e., without cystic duct obstruction), right upper quadrant pain is generally mild and manifests as persistent distending pain. As inflammation progresses, the pain may intensify and often radiates—most commonly to the right shoulder and the inferior angle of the right scapula.
