Investigations for cholecistitis
When diagnosing cholecystitis, healthcare professionals may conduct several investigations, including the following:
1. Medical History: The doctor will ask about the patient's symptoms, such as pain in the upper right abdomen, fever, nausea, and vomiting. They will also inquire about any previous episodes of gallbladder symptoms.
2. Physical Examination: The doctor will perform a physical examination to assess the patient's abdomen for tenderness, swelling, and inflammation.
3. Blood Tests: Blood tests may be conducted to evaluate liver function, including liver enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). Increased levels of these enzymes can indicate liver inflammation.
4. Complete Blood Count (CBC): A CBC can help determine whether there is an infection in the body by assessing the levels of white blood cells.
5. Ultrasound: An ultrasound of the abdomen is typically the initial imaging investigation for cholecystitis. It helps visualize the gallbladder and surrounding structures for signs of inflammation, gallstones, or other abnormalities.
6. HIDA Scan: A hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan is a nuclear medicine test that examines the functioning of the gallbladder. It measures the gallbladder's ability to contract and empty bile into the small intestine. This test can help identify obstruction or poor gallbladder function.
7. CT Scan: A computed tomography (CT) scan may be ordered if the ultrasound results are inconclusive or if there are complications suspected, such as abscess or perforation.
8. Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): MRCP is a specialized type of MRI that focuses on imaging the biliary system. It can be used to assess the gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas for any abnormalities.
It's important to note that the specific investigations may vary depending on the patient's presentation and the healthcare provider's preference. A combination of these investigations may be used to confirm the diagnosis of cholecystitis and rule out other potential causes of abdominal pain.