From the Guidelines
Cholelithiasis, or gallstones, often presents with specific symptoms that can help identify this condition, including right upper quadrant abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and intolerance to fatty foods, as noted in studies such as 1 and 1. The most common symptom is right upper quadrant abdominal pain, which typically occurs after eating fatty meals and may radiate to the right shoulder or back. This pain, known as biliary colic, usually lasts from 30 minutes to several hours. Other symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Indigestion
- Intolerance to fatty foods Some patients may experience fever and chills if the gallstone causes an infection (cholecystitis), as mentioned in 1. Jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes, can occur if a stone blocks the bile duct. Dark urine and light-colored stools may also be present in cases of bile duct obstruction. It's essential to note that many people with gallstones remain asymptomatic, with stones discovered incidentally during imaging for other conditions, as stated in 1. The pain occurs because gallstones block the flow of bile, causing the gallbladder to contract against the obstruction, which stimulates pain receptors. If symptoms are severe or persistent, medical attention should be sought as complications like inflammation, infection, or pancreatitis can develop, highlighting the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment, as discussed in 1 and 1.
From the Research
Symptoms of Cholelithiasis
The symptoms of cholelithiasis can vary, but common presentations include:
- Right upper quadrant pain of the abdomen that is often elicited upon palpation during physical examination and documented as a positive Murphy's sign 2
- Referred pain to the right supraclavicular region and/or shoulder 2
- Nausea 2
- Vomiting 2 It is worth noting that lack of physical examination findings does not rule out a diagnosis of cholelithiasis 2.
Complications of Cholelithiasis
Cholelithiasis can result in complications, including:
Diagnosis of Cholelithiasis
Laboratory tests such as white blood cell count, liver enzymes, amylase, and lipase may assist the clinician in diagnosing cholelithiasis, however, ultrasonography is the gold standard for diagnosis 2.