The gallbladder is a small, elastic sac on the underside of the liver in the right upper abdomen. The liver produces bile, which collects in the gallbladder until it releases into the small intestine. Chemical imbalances in the bile within the gallbladder lead to the formation of gallstones. Gallstones can cause serious complications due to obstruction of bile flow or chronic inflammation of the gallbladder.
Acute Cholecystitis
Bile normally flows from the gallbladder through a tube named the cystic duct. Gallstones can move into the cystic duct and lodge there, blocking outflow of bile from the gallbladder. Bile buildup in the gallbladder causes fever, nausea, vomiting and extreme pain. This condition is acute cholecystitis, which the University of Southern California Department of Surgery warns is an urgent medical situation typically requiring removal of the gallbladder.
Cholangitis
The cystic duct from the gallbladder empties into the common bile duct, which transports bile to the small intestine. A gallstone may move into the common bile duct and lodge there causing obstruction of bile flow and infection of the bile ducts. Cholangitis is the term for infection of the bile ducts. The "Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals" reports stones in the common bile duct cause 85 percent of cases of acute cholangitis. Cholangitis is an urgent medical situation. The stone must be dislodged to restore bile flow and allow clearance of the infection.
Acute Pancreatitis
As gallstones approach the small intestine via the common bile duct, they may block the pancreatic duct. This tube carries digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas to the small intestine. Blockage or irritation of the pancreatic duct by a gallstone can lead to acute pancreatitis, a serious complication of gallstone disease advises the University of Southern California Department of Surgery. In most cases, the gallstone passes into the small intestine spontaneously. However, the associated pancreatitis may require intensive care support for days to weeks. "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals" notes mortality rate with acute pancreatitis ranges from less than five percent to approximately 50 percent, depending on the severity of the condition.
Gallbladder Cancer
Gallstones increase the risk for the development of gallbladder cancer. "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals reports approximately 70 to 90 percent of gallbladder cancer occurs in people with gallstones. However, it is important to note that the overwhelming majority of people with gallstones do not develop gallbladder cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 9,760 Americans developed gallbladder cancer in 2009, representing less than one percent of all cancers diagnosed that year.
