Diagnosis and management of cholecystitis and cholangitis

Cholelithiasis is a prevalent condition in Western populations. Most cases are asymptomatic but complications can occur. Acute cholangitis, cholecystitis, and gallstone pancreatitis are the most common biliary tract emergencies and are usually caused by biliary calculi. Whenever possible, acute chol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inGastroenterology clinics of North America Vol. 32; no. 4; p. 1145
Main Authors Yusoff, Ian F, Barkun, Jeffrey S, Barkun, Alan N
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.2003
Subjects
Acute Disease
Algorithms
Cholangitis - diagnosis
Cholangitis - therapy
Cholecystitis - diagnosis
Cholecystitis - therapy
Humans
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Summary:Cholelithiasis is a prevalent condition in Western populations. Most cases are asymptomatic but complications can occur. Acute cholangitis, cholecystitis, and gallstone pancreatitis are the most common biliary tract emergencies and are usually caused by biliary calculi. Whenever possible, acute cholecystitis should be treated with early LC. AAC is an uncommon condition usually affecting patients with significant comorbidities. Treatment is usually with percutaneous cholecystostomy, which often is also the only required therapy. Endoscopic drainage is the preferred form of biliary decompression in acute cholangitis and these patients should subsequently undergo elective LC unless unfit for surgery. Effective and optimal management of biliary tract emergencies relies on close cooperation between gastroenterologist, surgeon, and radiologist.
ISSN:0889-8553
1558-1942
DOI:10.1016/s0889-8553(03)00090-6