Acute calculous cholecystitis: Clinical features and diagnosis - UpToDate

Cholecystitis refers to inflammation of the gallbladder. Acute cholecystitis predominantly occurs as a complication of gallstone disease and typically develops in patients with a history of symptomatic gallstones. Less often, acute cholecystitis may develop without gallstones (acalculous cholecystitis). (See "Clinical manifestations and evaluation of gallstone disease in adults", section on 'Natural history and disease course'.) This topic will review the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of acute calculous cholecystitis. Separate topic reviews on gallstone disease and the management of acute calculous cholecystitis include the following: ● (See "Clinical manifestations and evaluation of gallstone disease in adults".) ● (See "Approach to the management of gallstones".) ● (See "Acalculous cholecystitis".) ● (See "Treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis".) DEFINITIONS Acute cholecystitis — Acute cholecystitis refers to a syndrome of right upper quadrant pain, fever,

Cholecystitis refers to inflammation of the gallbladder. Acute cholecystitis predominantly occurs as a complication of gallstone disease and typically develops in patients with a history of symptomatic gallstones. Less often, acute cholecystitis may develop without gallstones (acalculous cholecystitis). (See "Clinical manifestations and evaluation of gallstone disease in adults", section on 'Natural history and disease course'.) This topic will review the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of acute calculous cholecystitis. Separate topic reviews on gallstone disease and the m