Which methods can be used to diagnose cholecystitis?
- Clinical examination
- Blood analysis
- Ultrasound examination
- ERCP
- CT
- Scintigraphy
During the initial physical examination, an acute inflammation of the gall bladder is clinically manifested by the so-called Murphy’s sign. During the examination of the abdomen, the physician palpates the gallbladder under the right costal arch, which causes pain in the acutely ill patient.
2. blood analysis
During a blood test, in the case of a gall bladder inflammation, in addition to increased general inflammation values such as the CRP value (C-reactive protein) and BSG (blood sedimentation rate), an increase in certain enzymes such as gamma-GT (gamma-glutamyltransferase) and AP (alkaline phosphatase) are found. Due to the inflammation of the gall bladder, the blood composition also shows an increase in white blood cells (leukocytosis) with a left-shift, i.e. an increase in young leukocytes.
3. ultrasound
If a diagnosis is made by means of ultrasound examination (sonography) of the abdomen (abdominal cavity), an inflammation of the gall bladder is conspicuous by enlargement and widening of the bile duct. A bile stasis due to obstruction and gallstones can also be made visible by ultrasound. A chronically inflamed gallbladder can impress as a thickening or shrinking gall bladder due to scarring.
4. ERCP
When diagnosed by ERCP, an abbreviation for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography, the gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreatic duct against the direction of flow of the secretion (retrograde) can be visualized on a screen using a contrast medium under x-ray and stones removed if necessary. The endoscope used in the diagnosis is inserted through the mouth via the esophagus and stomach up to the opening of the bile duct into the duodenum. Stones and constrictions (stenosis) can thus be made visible.
5TH CT
Computer tomography (CT) should be connected to exclude other diseases.
