A focus on acute cholecystitis and acute cholangitis

Gallbladder stones are an extremely common disorder and are usually asymptomatic, but they may cause insidious infections. Acute cholecystitis is a bacterial infection caused by an obstruction of the cystic duct with gallstones. The obstruction results in gallbladder distention, wall edema, ischemia and bacteria infection. The wall of the gallbladder may undergo necrosis and gangrene and ultimately perforate, with the development of an abscess or generalized peritonitis. The obstruction is usually caused by gallstones (>90%), but acute cholecystitis may infrequently be acalculous or caused by sludge[1-2]. Acute cholangitis is a bacterial infection caused by an obstruction of the biliary tree most commonly from gallstones. The biliary tract obstruction results in elevated intraluminal pressure, and infection of bile.