What Is Biliary Tract Disorder?

Acute calculus cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder that develops in the setting of an obstructed cystic or bile duct. It usually develops after 5 hours of biliary-type pain. The initial inflammation is caused by chemical irritation, and bacterial infection probably is a secondary event.

Types:

• malignant neoplasm of the gallbladder
• malignant neoplasm of other parts of biliary tract
• extrahepatic bile duct
• ampulla of Vater
• cholelithiasis
• cholecystitis
• others (excluding postcholecystectomy syndrome), but including
• other obstructions of the gallbladder (like strictures)
• hydrops, perforation, fistula
• cholesterolosis
• biliary dyskinesia
• K83: other diseases of the biliary tract:
• cholangitis (including ascending cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis)
• obstruction, perforation, fistula of biliary tract
• spasm of sphincter of Oddi
• biliary cyst
• biliary atresis

Symptoms of possible biliary disease:

Although symptoms may differ among bile duct disorders, symptoms common to many of the disorders include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right side of the abdomen under the rib cage
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite, which may result in weight loss
• Fatigue
• Fever or chills
• Itching
• Light brown urine
• Greasy or clay-colored stools

Diagnosis:

The tests performed vary according to the suspected bile duct disorder. However, tests commonly performed to diagnose many bile duct disorders may include:

• Blood tests
• Liver function tests
• Ultrasound
• Endoscopic ultrasound
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Liver biopsy