Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease includes inflammation, infection, gallstones, bile duct cancer, blockage of the gallbladder, and other conditions.

The gallbladder is a small organ located beneath the liver, responsible for storing bile, which helps in digesting fats.

Gallbladder disease can begin in the gallbladder or in the bile ducts. The gallbladder is connected to other organs in your digestive system. This means that gallbladder disease can impact other organs as well.

Causes of gallbladder disease

Gallbladder diseases are typically caused by bile duct obstruction or inflammation. These issues often stem from gallstones, which are hardened deposits of digestive fluid.

Other causes of gallbladder disease can include:

• Infections
• Tumors
• Bile duct injuries

Gallbladder disease can lead to serious complications if left untreated, such as liver disease, bile duct cancer and pancreatitis.

Gallbladder conditions

There are several types of gallbladder diseases. These can sometimes be related to each other, meaning a person could have more than one condition affecting their gallbladder.

Gallbladder conditions include:

• Gallstones (cholelithiasis): These are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can block the bile ducts, causing pain, inflammation, and infection.
• Acute cholecystitis: This is the sudden inflammation of the gallbladder, usually caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct. The condition often requires prompt medical attention.
• Chronic cholecystitis: Repeated episodes of acute cholecystitis can lead to chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, causing the organ to become thickened and scarred.
• Acalculous cholecystitis: This form of cholecystitis does not involve gallstones. It is often seen in critically ill patients and can be caused by ischemia, infections, or prolonged fasting.
• Choledocholithiasis: This condition involves gallstones that have moved into the bile ducts, causing blockages that can lead to jaundice, biliary colic, and infections.
• Biliary dyskinesia: An abnormality in the gallbladder’s function, where it does not empty bile efficiently. This can lead to biliary colic and chronic gallbladder disease.
• Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma): A rare type of cancer that affects the bile ducts, potentially leading to blockages and liver damage.
• Gallbladder cancer: Although uncommon, gallbladder cancer can cause symptoms similar to gallstone-related diseases and often requires surgical intervention.
• Biliary atresia: A serious condition that affects infants, where the bile ducts are blocked or absent, preventing bile from flowing from the liver to the gallbladder, causing liver damage.

Prevention and risk factors

Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly can help prevent gallbladder disease.

Risk factors for gallbladder disease include:

• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• High-fat diets
• Family history
• Certain medical conditions like diabetes

Symptoms of gallbladder disease

The symptoms of gallbladder disease can vary depending on the specific condition but often include:

• Biliary colic: This is characterized by severe, steady pain in the upper right abdomen, which can radiate to the back or right shoulder. Pain typically occurs after eating a fatty meal and can last for several hours.
• Nausea and vomiting: These symptoms often accompany biliary colic and other gallbladder problems.
• Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes, indicating a blockage in the bile duct.
• Fever and chills: These may signal an infection such as cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder).
• Abdominal tenderness: Particularly in the upper right quadrant.

When to seek medical attention

It is crucial to seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Severe abdominal pain, especially if it makes it difficult to sit still or find a comfortable position
• Pain lasting more than a few hours and not relieved by over-the-counter pain medications
• Fever, chills, or jaundice
• Persistent nausea and vomiting
• Clay-colored stools or dark urine

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and improve outcomes. Make sure to talk to health care provider if you have concerns about your health.

Screenings and diagnosis

To diagnose gallbladder diseases, health care providers use:

• Physical exams
• Blood tests
• Ultrasounds and other imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs

These tests help determine the presence and extent of the disease.

Treatment options

Treatment for gallbladder disease depends on the type and severity of the condition. There are several treatment options available, including medical and surgical interventions.

• Medication: Pain relievers, antibiotics and drugs that help dissolve gallstones.
• Surgical care: Various surgical procedures are available to remove gallstones or the gallbladder itself. Cholecystectomy is one common treatment involving the removal of the gallbladder.
• Minimally invasive surgery: Laparoscopic and robotic cholecystectomy procedures are performed using small incisions and a camera, allowing for a less invasive procedure with quicker recovery times.

WashU Medicine is renowned for its expertise in treating bile duct cancer and other malignancies related to the gallbladder and liver.

Our multidisciplinary team includes oncologists, surgeons and radiologists who work together to provide personalized care plans using state-of-the-art techniques and treatments.

Learn more about cholecystectomy>>

Transplant surgery

In rare cases where extensive damage has occurred to the liver or bile ducts, a liver transplant may be necessary.

Our transplant team at WashU Medicine is among the most active in the country. We have extensive experience in performing liver transplants for cancer and other end-stage liver disease. If liver transplant is necessary, our experts can help you through the process.

Recovery

After treatment, proper care is crucial.

Follow your health care provider’s recommendations, take prescribed medications, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.