Etymed
cholecystitis
Definition
Inflammation of the gallbladder, typically caused by gallstones blocking the bile ducts
Clinical context
A 45-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with severe right upper quadrant abdominal pain that started suddenly 2 hours ago. The pain is radiating to her right shoulder and is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. She has a history of gallstones and reports that the pain is worse after eating fatty foods. On examination, she has tenderness in the right upper quadrant with a positive Murphy's sign. Laboratory studies show elevated white blood cell count and elevated liver enzymes.
Mnemonic
Gallstones cause biliary colic, leading to gallbladder inflammation - 'GALLBLADDER' = 'Gallstones, Abdominal pain, Leukocytosis, Murphy's sign, Elevated liver enzymes, Right upper quadrant pain'