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Chronic cholecystitis - Overview

Alternative Names

Cholecystitis - chronic

Definition of Chronic cholecystitis:

Chronic cholecystitis is long-standing swelling and irritation of the gallbladder.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Chronic cholecystitis is usually caused by repeated attacks of acute cholecystitis. This leads to thickening of the gallbladder walls. The gallbladder begins to shrink and eventually loses the ability to perform its function, which is concentrating, storing, and releasing bile.

The disease occurs more often in women than in men. The incidence increases after age 40. The main risk factors include the presence of gallstones (in which case, the symptoms are due to gallstones).

Cholecystitis, CT scan

Cholecystitis, cholangiogram

Cholecystolithiasis

Gallstones, cholangiogram

Reviewed last on: 3/5/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Afdhal NH. Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 159.

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