Acalculous cholecystitis is kind of inflammation of gallbladder that occurs without development of gallstone as the primary cause. Acalculous is a word used to typify cholecystitis that is not associated to development of gallstone. Cholecystitis is a medical anomaly characterized through gallbladder inflammation. Gallbladder is a tiny organ which is pear shaped and is situated on the right side of the stomach below the liver. It serves as a reservoir for bile which is a digestive juice that flows across the small intestine. Most cases of cholecystitis are cause due to gallstone that block the gallbladder tube. It causes deposition of bile which leads to inflammation. Bile duct problems and tumors can causes cholecystitis. Acalculous cholecystitis of acute nature afflicts individuals who also suffer from chronic health conditions such as diabetes mellitus that increases the risk of protrusion and inflammation of gallbladder.
Acalculous cholecystitis treatment is significantly depended on symptoms experienced due to the condition; patient’s general health is also a decisive factor in determining treatment for the issue. Last option for treatment of this condition is removal of gallbladder surgically. If the condition is left untreated that it may cause serious health complications like gallbladder rupture, infection, swelling of the organ, etc.
Symptoms of Acalculous Cholecystitis
Bile built up due to acalculous cholecystitis may results in several symptoms and sign. Some of these symptoms are:
- People affected with the condition usually experience constant pain in the upper-right region of the stomach. Sometime the pain may also transfer to right shoulder blade or back.
- Patients may also experience moderate to serious pain in the right side of the abdomen after ingesting heavy, fatty meal. This kind of pain usually lasts for hours.
- Some affected individuals may also experience excruciating pain which increases and aggravates to a level that taking deep breath may also become painful.
- Elder individuals may experience tenderness of abdomen but they may not experience pain and fever
- Fever, queasiness, vomiting, bloating, tremor, chills, sweating etc are some other common symptoms caused due to this medical anomaly
There are chances that an affected individual may not experience any symptoms and the condition may remain nondescript. Only occasional mild stomach discomfort may be experienced.
Acalculous cholecystitis causes
Accumulation of bile due to obstruction of gallbladder tube caused because of gallstone, tumor and other issues avoid secretion of acidic liquid into small intestine as well as upper digestive tract. This eventually causes gallbladder inflammation, cholecystitis and acalculous cholecystitis.
Chronic acalculous cholecystitis may also lead to anomalous structural changes within the gallbladder such as hardening of tissues and atrophy. Progressive hardening and shrinkage of organ causes loss of elasticity which exacerbates the ability to contract as well as release bile. Such gallbladder malfunctioning and augmented accumulation of acidic bile contributes to cause inflammation and protrusion of gallbladder.
Cholecystitis is basically caused due to existence of gallstone which blocks the cystic duct. Acalculous cholecystitis is caused due to any other reason than presence of gallstone. It may result due to tumor development that prevents the bile from passing to the gallbladder. It may also occur due to kinking or scarring of bile duct or even blockage of bile duct that causes deposition of fluid and eventually result in acalculous cholecystitis. Older individuals and women are at increase risk of suffering from the condition.
Acalculous Cholecystitis treatment
Individuals affected with acalculous cholecystitis are normally suggested supportive care under hospital setting. They are often hospitalized to provide effective treatment. The doctor may adopt several techniques to control gallbladder inflammation symptoms and prevent it from aggravating. Usually the symptoms of the disorder often alleviates within 2 to 3 days of hospital stay. If the condition has occurred due to infection or if it is diagnosed that the organ is infected, then doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Sometimes a combination of antibiotics and different medicines are tried if previous medicinal treatment is not working.
Patients may sometimes be suggested to avoid food and drink for prolonged period. This will decrease pressure and work-load on the protruded gallbladder. In order to prevent dehydration, intravenous fluid may be given to the patient. Gallbladder pain can be prevented by using pain killers suggested by the doctor.
Once affected the condition may also be recurring. Thus, doctor often recommend surgical procedures for removal of gallbladder to resolve the issue permanently. Patient suffering from acalculous complications such as puncture, rupture, or gallbladder gangrene are usually recommended immediate surgical removal of the organ. Cholecystectomy is the most common invasive medical procedure to remove the organ in case of acalculous cholecystitis. In this procedure a tiny flexible tube is inserted in the abdomen through a small incision. The tube usually has a tiny camera at the end which transfers internal live images to an attached monitor screen. This helps doctor to see inside of the patient and perform the surgical operation through certain medical tools.
Complete removal of gallbladder is safe as it is not a crucial organ. People can continue living a healthy life even after amputation of the organ. After exclusion of the organ the bile will be passed directly to the digestive tract. This procedure does not even affect the patient’s ability to digest food. However, after surgery patient may suffer from temporary diarrhea.
Treatment of acalculous cholecystitis cannot be voluntarily decided. It often needs thorough evaluation and profession medical help. Hence, if you suspect acalculous cholecystitis, then consult a doctor immediately.
