Epidemiology

Etiology

Subtypes and variants

Acute acalculous cholecystitis

• Description: an acute life-threatening necroinflammatory disorder of the gallbladder, usually seen in critically ill patients, that is not associated with gallstones
• Etiology: conditions predisposing to bile stasis and reduced perfusion of the gallbladder
  • Risk factors
    • Multiorgan failure (critically ill patients)
    • Severe trauma, burns
    • Surgery
    • Infection (e.g., CMV)
    • Sepsis, septic shock
    • Total parenteral nutrition
    • Prolonged fasting
• Clinical features: similar to acute calculous cholecystitis

Clinical features

Diagnostics

Treatment

Complications

Chronic cholecystitis

• Clinical features: recurrent symptoms similar to acute cholecystitis but typically less severe and often self-limiting
• Complications
  • Porcelain gallbladder
    • Definition: calcification of the gallbladder wall due to chronic inflammation
    • Imaging (x-ray or noncontrast CT abdomen): focal or diffuse hyperdensity (radiopaque appearance) of the gallbladder wall
    • Clinical significance: a risk factor for gallbladder cancer
    • Treatment: conservative management or laparoscopic cholecystectomy based on symptoms, pattern of gallbladder calcification, and comorbidities