PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Precipitating Factors:

 Birth control pills

 Low Fat Diet
Predisposing Factors:
 Pregnancy
 Female  Rapid weight loss
 Age 38  Obesity
 Ethnicity  fasting
 Diabetes Mellitus
Bile stagnates in the
gallbladder

Pigment solute precipitate as

solid crystals

Crystals clump together

and form stones

Gallstones

Gallbladder contracts after

intake of fat to release bile

Upon contraction, a stone is moved and

becomes impacted on the cystic duct

CHOLELITHIASIS

Lumen is obstructed by
stones

Bile stasis

Chemical reaction inside gallbladder

triggers the release of inflammatory
enzymes

(Prostaglandins)
 Fluids leak into Inflammation of the
gallbladder gallbladder

Edema

Increased intraluminal
pressure and distention Biliary Colic
of the gallbladder
(RUQ pain)

Constriction of blood Murphy’s Sign

vessels

ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS
If not treated
If treated with:
Continued lack of
Continued increase
blood supply to
Surgery, proper in intraluminal
gallbladder
diet (low fat, high pressure of
fiber), compliance gallbladder
to medications Necrosis
Rupture of gallbladder

Good prognosis Gangrene and empyema

Spread of bile and

Perforation of indigenous
gallbladder microorganisms into
peritoneal cavity

Sepsis

Death