Cholecystitis (Gallstones) - Diagnosis

• The symptoms of acute cholecystitis can resemble many other illnesses. Our doctors will want to know about the patient’s medical history as well as their symptoms. They will check the patient’s abdomen for swelling or tender areas and may prescribe additional tests.
• Abdominal ultrasounds are the most commonly prescribed imaging test used to diagnose cholecystitis.
• Our doctors may need to advise more tests if the patient has been diagnosed with acute cholecystitis. These tests may include a liver function test and complete blood count test.

Complications

Cholecystitis can lead to a number of serious complications, including the following:

• empyema (pus in the gallbladder)
• gangrene
• injury to bile ducts draining the liver (may occur after a gallbladder surgery)
• infection within the gallbladder
• if bile builds up within the gallbladder, causing cholecystitis, the bile may become infected
• an untreated cholecystitis can kill the gallbladder tissue, which, in turn, can lead to a tear in the gallbladder or cause the gallbladder to burst.