title: Cholecystitis.
abstract: Acute cholecystitis is defined as inflammation of the gallbladder and is usually caused by obstruction of the cystic duct. Cholescintigraphy is the most sensitive imaging modality for cholecystitis. The gold standard treatment of acute cholecystitis is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Operating early in the disease course decreases overall hospital stay and avoids increased complications, conversion to open procedures, and mortality. Cholecystitis during pregnancy is a challenging problem for surgeons. Operative intervention is generally safe for both mother and fetus, given the improved morbidity of the laparoscopic approach compared with open, although increased caution should be exercised in women with gallstone pancreatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Lurie Building Room 3-250, 303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Lawrence M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Knab
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, NMH/Arkes Family Pavilion Suite 650, 676 North Saint Clair, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Boller
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, NMH/Arkes Family Pavilion Suite 650, 676 North Saint Clair, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Electronic address: dmahvi@nmh.org.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Mahvi
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000379:methods*; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D041881:Cholecystitis, Acute / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D061665:Time-to-Treatment
keywords: Acalculous cholecystitis; Acute cholecystitis; Cholecystectomy; Chronic cholecystitis; Gallstones