Last Updated on October 30, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir
Gallbladder inflammation, or cholecystitis, is a serious condition that needs quick medical help. It usually happens when gallstones block the cystic duct. This leads to severe pain in the upper right abdomen, tenderness, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Learn important facts about colorectal metastases, survival rates, and prognosis in stage 4 cancer.
Liv Hospital focuses on patient care to address the signs and causes of this condition. This includes cases with and without gallstones. Knowing the key facts about gallbladder inflammation is vital for early diagnosis and treatment.
The gallbladder is a small organ under the liver that helps with digestion. It stores bile from the liver and releases it into the small intestine. This helps break down fats. When the gallbladder gets inflamed, it can cause serious problems. This inflammation is called cholecystitis and can be either sudden or long-lasting.
Acute cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder. It’s usually caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct. This blockage leads to a buildup of bile, causing inflammation and infection. Key symptoms include severe abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. If not treated, it can cause serious problems like gangrene or perforation.
The gallbladder is key in the digestive system. It stores and concentrates bile from the liver. Bile helps break down fats and vitamins in the small intestine. Even though the gallbladder is not essential, it helps by releasing bile at the right time.
Gallbladder inflammation can be acute or chronic. Acute cholecystitis is sudden and needs immediate care. Chronic cholecystitis is long-lasting and can result from repeated acute episodes or other factors. Chronic inflammation can cause scarring and thickening of the gallbladder wall, making it less functional.
| Characteristics | Acute Cholecystitis | Chronic Cholecystitis |
| Onset | Sudden | Gradual |
| Duration | Short-term | Long-term |
| Causes | Gallstones, infection | Recurrent acute episodes, other factors |
Knowing the symptoms of acute cholecystitis is key. It’s a serious condition where the gallbladder gets inflamed, usually because of gallstones. Spotting these signs early is vital for treatment and avoiding worse problems.
Severe pain in the upper right abdomen is a main symptom. This pain can be very sharp and feels like stabbing. It also might make the area feel tender.
The pain from acute cholecystitis can spread to other places. It might go to the right shoulder or back. This happens because the nerves in these areas are connected to the gallbladder.
People with acute cholecystitis often feel tenderness when their abdomen is touched. This is most noticeable in the upper right part. It’s a clear sign of gallbladder inflammation.
Deep breathing can make the pain worse. This is a worrying sign because it shows how serious the inflammation is.
Other symptoms include:
As a medical expert says, “Spotting these symptoms early is key. It helps get the right treatment fast and avoid serious issues.”
It’s important to know what makes the gallbladder inflame. This knowledge helps doctors find and treat cholecystitis better. The gallbladder gets inflamed because of certain things that block bile flow.
Gallstones in the cystic duct are the main reason for gallbladder inflammation. When these stones block the duct, bile can’t leave the gallbladder. This leads to inflammation and can cause the gallbladder to swell and get infected.
Table: Factors Contributing to Gallstone Formation
| Factor | Description |
| Cholesterol Supersaturation | Bile has too much cholesterol, making stones |
| Nucleation | Particles help stones form |
| Stasis | Poor emptying of the gallbladder helps stones form |
Biliary sludge and microlithiasis also cause gallbladder inflammation. Biliary sludge is a mix of particles and bile that blocks the duct. Microlithiasis is tiny stones that also block bile flow.
“Biliary sludge or microlithiasis can block bile flow just like big stones, causing inflammation.”
Tumors or structural problems in the gallbladder or bile ducts can also cause inflammation. These issues block bile flow, making the gallbladder inflamed.
In summary, gallbladder inflammation is mainly caused by gallstones in the cystic duct, biliary sludge, microlithiasis, and tumors or structural problems. Knowing these causes is key to diagnosing and treating the condition effectively.
Calculous cholecystitis happens when gallstones block the cystic duct. This causes inflammation in the gallbladder. It’s a common reason for sudden, severe abdominal pain and can lead to serious health issues if not treated right.
Gallstones are made from bile components like cholesterol and bilirubin. When these stones block the cystic duct, they stop bile from leaving the gallbladder. This leads to inflammation and can cause infection.
Key factors contributing to gallstone formation include:
When gallstones block the cystic duct, it starts an inflammatory process. This process releases inflammatory mediators. These can cause swelling, reduced blood flow, and even gangrene in the gallbladder wall.
Gallstone disease can be either acute or chronic. Acute cases have sudden, severe pain. Chronic cases have recurring, mild pain.
| Characteristics | Acute Calculous Cholecystitis | Chronic Calculous Cholecystitis |
| Onset | Sudden | Gradual or recurrent |
| Pain Severity | Severe | Mild to moderate |
| Inflammation | Significant inflammation | Variable inflammation |
Acalculous cholecystitis is a rare gallbladder disease. It happens when the gallbladder gets inflamed without any stones. This usually affects very sick patients or those on total parenteral nutrition.
This condition is marked by gallbladder inflammation without stones. Several reasons lead to this:
Some people are more likely to get acalculous cholecystitis. These include:
The symptoms of acalculous cholecystitis are similar but different. This is because of the patient’s health. Common symptoms are:
This condition can get worse quickly. It can lead to serious problems like gangrene or a perforated gallbladder. Quick diagnosis and treatment are key to avoid these serious issues.
To understand gallbladder infections, we must look at bacterial pathogens and how they grow. These infections often happen when the gallbladder is blocked, usually by gallstones.
Gram-negative rods like Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species are common in gallbladder infections. So are anaerobes like Clostridium and Bacteroides species. These bacteria can get into the gallbladder through the blood, the biliary tree, or from nearby tissues.
When the cystic duct gets blocked, usually by a gallstone, it’s a perfect place for bacteria to grow. The bile doesn’t move, which helps bacteria multiply. The pressure in the gallbladder can also cause it to not get enough blood, making it easier for infection to start.
Infections can get worse, leading to gangrene or the gallbladder bursting. It’s important to understand how these problems start so we can act fast.
Inflammation and infection are different. Inflammation is the body’s reaction to injury or irritation, like from gallstones. Infection means bacteria are actually in the tissues. Knowing the difference is key for treating the gallbladder right.
Doctors use symptoms, lab tests, and imaging to tell if it’s inflammation or infection. For example, fever, high white blood cell count, and positive bile cultures show infection. Inflammation might just cause pain and tenderness without other signs of infection.
To diagnose acute cholecystitis, doctors use a few key steps. They do a physical exam, run lab tests, and use imaging studies. Getting the diagnosis right is key to treating the problem and avoiding serious issues.
Doctors start by doing a detailed physical exam. They look for tenderness in the right upper abdomen and check if the muscles are tight. A positive Murphy’s sign is a big clue for acute cholecystitis.
Lab tests are very important for diagnosing acute cholecystitis. Some common tests include:
Imaging tests are vital to confirm acute cholecystitis. The main tests used are:
Doctors also look for signs like Murphy’s sign to help diagnose acute cholecystitis. While Murphy’s sign is a strong clue, it’s not present in every case. Other signs include fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Acute cholecystitis can turn into serious and life-threatening problems if not treated. The inflammation of the gallbladder can lead to severe conditions that need quick medical help.
Gallbladder gangrene is a severe complication of acute cholecystitis. It happens when the inflammation kills the gallbladder tissue. This can cause perforation, where the gallbladder wall bursts, spilling bile and infected material into the belly.
When bacteria infect the gallbladder, they can spread to the blood, causing sepsis. Sepsis is a dangerous condition where the body’s fight against infection harms its own tissues and organs. Quick treatment with antibiotics is key to stop sepsis.
Acute cholecystitis can also cause other serious biliary issues, like pancreatitis and cholangitis. Pancreatitis happens when the pancreas gets inflamed, often because of gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct. Cholangitis is an infection of the bile ducts, which can be deadly if not treated fast.
The death rate for acute cholecystitis depends on complications and the patient’s health. Older people and those with health issues are more at risk of serious problems. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are vital to lower death risk.
In summary, the complications of acute cholecystitis are serious and can be deadly. Knowing these risks shows why it’s important to get medical help if symptoms get worse or don’t go away.
Managing gallbladder inflammation requires different strategies. These range from initial medical care to surgical procedures. The treatment choice depends on the condition’s severity, any complications, and the patient’s health.
Initial medical care is key to stabilize the patient and prepare for surgery. It includes:
Prompt medical management reduces complications and improves outcomes.
Antibiotics are vital in managing gallbladder inflammation’s infection. The antibiotic choice depends on the suspected bacteria and infection severity.
Empiric antibiotic therapy is started quickly. It covers a wide range of bacteria until specific sensitivities are known.
Cholecystectomy, or gallbladder removal, is often needed for acute cholecystitis. It’s necessary when conservative management fails or complications arise.
The decision for surgery is based on symptom severity, presence of gangrene or perforation, and the patient’s condition.
The surgical method for cholecystectomy can be minimally invasive (laparoscopic) or open.
The choice between these methods depends on the patient’s condition and the surgeon’s expertise.
Acute cholecystitis is a serious condition that needs quick medical help. Knowing its symptoms, causes, and risks is key to managing it well.
To manage cholecystitis, getting a fast diagnosis and right treatment is important. This might include antibiotics and surgery like cholecystectomy. Preventing it is also vital. This can be done by staying healthy, eating right, and avoiding gallstone risks.
Preventing cholecystitis means knowing the risks and taking steps to avoid them. By understanding the condition and taking preventive actions, people can lower their risk of acute cholecystitis and its complications.
In summary, managing and preventing acute cholecystitis needs a full approach. This includes being aware, getting a quick diagnosis, and the right treatment. By living a healthy lifestyle and watching out for risks, people can keep their gallbladder healthy and stay well.
The gallbladder can get inflamed for many reasons. This includes gallstones blocking the cystic duct, biliary sludge, tumors, and structural issues.
Acute cholecystitis is when the gallbladder suddenly gets inflamed. It’s often caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct.
Yes, you can have gallbladder inflammation without gallstones. This is called acalculous cholecystitis. It can happen due to severe illness, trauma, or infection.
Symptoms include severe pain in the upper right abdomen. You might also feel pain in the shoulder or back. Touching the abdomen can be tender, and breathing can cause gallbladder pain.
Doctors use physical exams, lab tests, and imaging studies to diagnose it. These include ultrasound, CT scans, and HIDA scans. They also look for signs like Murphy’s sign.
Complications can be serious. They include gallbladder gangrene, perforation, sepsis, pancreatitis, and cholangitis. These can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
Treatment starts with medical management and antibiotics for infection. Surgery, like cholecystectomy, may also be needed. This can be done through minimally invasive or open surgery.
Yes, if not treated, acute cholecystitis can be deadly. Severe cases can have high mortality rates, mainly in high-risk groups.
Calculous cholecystitis is caused by gallstones. Acalculous cholecystitis happens without gallstones, often due to severe illness or trauma.
Bacterial infections can occur after the cystic duct gets blocked. Common bacteria can cause infection and inflammation in the gallbladder.
The gallbladder is key for digestive health. It stores and releases bile into the small intestine. This helps with fat digestion and absorption.
Dahmiwal, T., et al. (2024). Dietary considerations in cholecystectomy. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 28(5), 345-350. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11200314