Biliary colic: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox_Disease |
#redirect:[[Gallstone disease history and symptoms#Biliary colic]]
  Name          = {{PAGENAME}} |
  Image          = |
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  DiseasesDB    = 2533 |
  ICD10          = |
  ICD9          = {{ICD9|574.20}} |
  ICDO          = |
  OMIM          = |
  MedlinePlus    = |
  eMedicineSubj  = med |
  eMedicineTopic = 224 |
  MeshID        = |
}}
{{SI}}
{{CMG}}, '''Assistant Editor-in-Chief:''' [[User:Soumya Sachdeva|Soumya Sachdeva]], [[User: Prashanthsaddala|Prashanth Saddala M.B.B.S]]
 
{{EH}}
==Overview==
'''Biliary colic''' is [[pain]] associated with irritation of the viscera secondary to [[cholecystitis]] and gallstones.  Unlike renal colic, the phrase 'biliary colic' refers to the actual [[cholelithiasis]].
 
Pain is accompanied with biliary colic, though unlike renal colic, the phrase 'biliary colic' refers to the actual cholelithiasis.  Although it is frequently described as
a [[colic]], the pain is steady, starts rapidly and lasts at least 30 minutes and up to several hours.  Many patients complain of right upper quadrant pain, rt flank pain, or even mid chest pain with cholelithiasis. There may be
irradiation to the back and shoulders and other concomitant symptoms such as [[vomiting]] and [[diarrhea]]. Fatty foods
can provoke biliary pain, but this association is relatively non-specific.
 
Biliary pain can be associated with objective findings (dilation of the biliary tract, elevation of plasma liver enzyme
concentration, elevation of bilirubin, gamma-GT and alkaline phosphatase).
 
==Causes==
Biliary pain is most frequently caused by obstruction of the [[common bile duct]] or the [[cystic duct]] by a [[gallstone]]. However,
the presence of [[gallstones]] is a frequent incidental finding and does not always necessitate treatment,
in the absence of identifiable disease. Furthermore, biliary pain may be associated with functional disorders of the
biliary tract, so called acalculous biliary pain, and can even be found in patients post-cholecystectomy (removal
of the gallbladder), possibly as a consequence of dysfunction of the [[biliary tree]] and the sphincter of oddi.
 
==Risk factors==
 
*More common in females.
*Obesity
*Common amongst Pima Indians, North Americans and Chileans.
*Generally Japanese have the lowest incidence of stones.
*Sudden weight loss
*Prolonged fasting.
*Pregnancy
*Presence of Crohn's disease.
*Cystic fibrosis
*Diabetes,
*Liver cirrhosis
*Increasing age
*Extensive bowel resection
*Use of contraceptives and other medications like largactil, octreotide, and clofibrate
==Differential Diagnosis==
*Amoebic liver abscess
*Perforated peptic ulcer
*Upper small bowel obstruction.
 
==Natural history, Complications and Prognosis==
===Complications===
The more serious complication is total blockage of the bile duct which leads to [[jaundice]], which if it is not corrected naturally or by a surgical procedure can be fatal as it causes [[liver]] damage.
 
The presence of gallstones can lead to infection of the gall bladder (cholecystitis) or the biliary tree
(cholangitis) or acute inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Rarely, an impacted gallstone can obstruct
the bowel, causing [[gallstone ileus]] (mechanical [[ileus]]).
 
Biliary pain in the absence of gallstones may severely impact the patient's quality of life, even in the absence
of disease progression.
==Diagnosis==
===History and Symptoms===
This condition causes crescendos of severe pain in the [[right upper abdomen]] and sometimes through to the upper [[back]] and/or right shoulder.  The pain relates to the obstruction of the passage of bile and can be associated with eating fatty foods.  There is usually an inflammatory component to the pain as the characteristic colic is not completely relieved between crescendos.
 
Other symptoms are [[nausea]] and [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]], [[bleeding]] caused by continuous vomiting, and [[dehydration]] caused by the nausea and diarrhea.
 
==Treatment==
Pain management is an important part of treating biliary colic.  Treatment is often with [[NSAIDs]] such as [[ketorolac]] (Toradol) and [[diclofenac]] (Voltaren).  [[Hyoscine butylbromide]] (Buscopan) is occasionally used but is less effective than analgesics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bestbets.org/bets/bet.php?id=882 |title=BestBets: Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide) in biliary colic. |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref>
 
Treatment is dictated by the underlying cause. The presence of gallstones, usually visualized by ultrasound,
generally necessitates a surgical treatment (removal of the gall bladder, typically via laparoscopy) but
may also respond in some cases to medications (ursodeoxycholic acid) or [[lithotripsy]].
 
==External links==
* {{FPnotebook|SUR46}}
* [http://medinfo.ufl.edu/year1/bcs/slides/abdomen/slide9.html Diagram of pain radiation]
* [http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/b/biliarycolic.htm Overview at psu.edu]
 
[[es:Litiasis biliar]]
 
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
[[Category:Signs and symptoms]]
 
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Latest revision as of 14:48, 27 August 2012