Acute cholecystitis (case study) Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Acute cholecystitis ( ) - Case Study Example The disease is fairly common, with over 500,000 operations being performed each year in the United States on individuals presenting with more severe cases of bile duct blockage and subsequent acute cholecystitis. Acute cholecystitis is the case of this inflammation that occurs sporadically, with the similar chronic cholecystitis being characterised by a more constant inflammation (South-Paul et al, 2010). Acute cholecystitis is far more common in women than in men, and occurs in the population more frequently with age (Sherlock et al, 2002). Pregnancy can also increase the liklihood of getting acute cholecystitis due to the presence of hormones that increase the liklihood of developing gallstones and the subsequent blocking and inflammation (Lai et al, 1998). There are many associated symptoms which are usually vague, and include nausea and fever (Eldar et al, 1997). Acute cholecystitis can be diagnosed in a number of ways that will be discussed within the course of this essay, but i maging techniques are the most conclusive, with metabolic panels being used as the primary detection method in suspected cases (Sherlock et al, 2002). Imaging techniques are the only way to get a conclusive diagnosis of the affliction. Treatment is usually antibiotics, although more severe and aggressive treatments are necessary in cases where gangrene and tissue necrosis are present. Operations may be needed to remove the causative gallstones (Kiviluoto et al, 1998). This essay will discuss all of these features of acute cholecystitis in more detail. Colecystitis is often caused by gallstones forming in the gallbladder, and especially refers to those that obstruct the custic duct (Sherlock et al, 2002). This obstruction can lead to issues with the bile system, which involve a thickening of the bile and associated stasis. This may very often lead to secondary infections by pathogens including but not limited to Escherichia coli (South-Paul et al, 2010). Both the