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Cholelithiasis

Gallstones are collections of stones that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. They are most commonly composed of cholesterol but some contain pigment. Gallstones are more common in females, Native Americans, Hispanics, and older adults. Risk factors include obesity, rapid weight loss, family history, and certain medical conditions. Gallstones often do not cause symptoms but can result in pain in the upper right abdomen or back as well as nausea. Diagnosis involves ultrasound or other imaging tests. Treatment options range from pain medication to surgery to remove the gallbladder. Complications can include infection, blockage of bile ducts, or cancer.

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62 views2 pages

Cholelithiasis

Gallstones are collections of stones that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. They are most commonly composed of cholesterol but some contain pigment. Gallstones are more common in females, Native Americans, Hispanics, and older adults. Risk factors include obesity, rapid weight loss, family history, and certain medical conditions. Gallstones often do not cause symptoms but can result in pain in the upper right abdomen or back as well as nausea. Diagnosis involves ultrasound or other imaging tests. Treatment options range from pain medication to surgery to remove the gallbladder. Complications can include infection, blockage of bile ducts, or cancer.

Uploaded by

Aya Sandoval
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Description:

Gallstones are a collection of one or more stones in the gallbladder, which is the hollow
organ under the liver, that stores bile. When the gallstones are in the gallbladder, the condition is
called cholelithiasis; when they are in the bile ducts the condition is called choledocolithiasis.

Most gallstones in North America are composed primarily of cholesterol (75%). 25% of
gallstones are composed of pigment (60% in Japan).

Affects both sexes but twice as common in females. It is also more common in certain groups of
people, such as Native Americans and Hispanics.. It can occur at any age, but incidence
increases with age and peaks at age 65.Rarely occurs in children under ten.

Most gallstones form in the gallbladder. Most gallstones in the bile ducts travel there from the
gallbladder. Stones may form in the bile duct when bile backs up because a duct has narrowed or
after the gallbladder has been removed.

Causes:

Alterations in bile composition, such as increased concentration of cholesterol or


decrease in concentration of phopholipids or bile acids; Failure of gallbladder to empty
adequately; Infection; Hemolytic disorders such as sickle cell anemia.

Risk Factors:
1.) Genetic factors. Some ethnic groups are more susceptible, such as Native Americans and
Hispanics.
2.) Family history of gallstones
3.) Obesity.
4.) Excess alcohol consumption
5.) Oral contraceptives.
6.) High fat, low fiber diet.
7.) Rapid weight loss.
8.) Women who have had many children.(multiparity)
9.) Hemolytic disorders such as sickle cell anemia, hereditary spherocytosis.
10.) Liver cirrhosis.
11.) Diabetes.
12.) Female gender.
13.) Inflammatory bowel disease such as crohns.

Signs and Symptoms:


1. Mostly asymptomatic. In the United States, 20% of people over age 65 have gallstones but
most have no symptoms. 5-10% become symptomatic each year. Over lifetime, less than half of
the patients with gallstones develop symptoms.

2. Episodic pain in the upper right abdomen or between the shoulder blades.

3. Intolerance for fatty foods (indigestion, pain, bloating and belching).

4. nausea and vomiting

5. bloating or blenching

6. jaundice – sometimes

Diagnosis and Treatment:

Diagnostic tests may include laboratory studies such as blood count and blood chemistry, CT
scan, ultrasound, cholecystography, and X-rays of the gallbladder. Ultrasound scanning is the
best method for diagnosing gallstones in the gallbladder.

Medications:

1. For minor discomfort, you may use non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen.

2. Oral medication to try to dissolve stones. This treatment is used for certain types of stones and
can take up to two years

Possible Complications:

1. Infection or rupture of the gallbladder.

2. Common bile duct stone with obstructive jaundice.

3. Gall bladder cancer

4. Small bowel obstruction and paralysis due to gallstone causing obstruction

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