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The Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Cholecystitis:
A Comprehensive Narrative Review for a Practical Approach
by
Lara Mencarini
1,2,
Amanda Vestito
2,
Rocco Maurizio Zagari
1,3
and
Marco Montagnani
1,2,*
1
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
2
Gastroenterology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
3
Esophagus and Stomach Organic Diseases Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2695; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092695
Submission received: 4 April 2024 / Revised: 17 April 2024 / Accepted: 30 April 2024 / Published: 3 May 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Gastroenterology & Hepatopancreatobiliary Medicine)
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Abstract
Acute cholecystitis (AC), generally associated with the presence of gallstones, is a relatively frequent disease that can lead to serious complications. For these reasons, AC warrants prompt clinical diagnosis and management. There is general agreement in terms of considering early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) to be the best treatment for AC. The optimal timeframe to perform ELC is within 72 h from diagnosis, with a possible extension of up to 7–10 days from symptom onset. In the first hours or days after hospital admission, before an ELC procedure, the patient’s medical management comprises fasting, intravenous fluid infusion, antimicrobial therapy, and possible administration of analgesics. Additionally, concomitant conditions such as choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, biliary pancreatitis, or systemic complications must be recognized and adequately treated. The importance of ELC is related to the frequent recurrence of symptoms and complications of gallstone disease in the interval period between the onset of AC and surgical intervention. In patients who are not eligible for ELC, it is suggested to delay surgery at least 6 weeks after the clinical presentation. Critically ill patients, who are unfit for surgery, may require rescue treatments, such as percutaneous or endoscopic gallbladder drainage (GBD). A particular treatment approach should be applied to special populations such as pregnant women, cirrhotic, and elderly patients. In this review, we provide a practical diagnostic and therapeutic approach to AC, even in specific clinical situations, based on evidence from the literature.
요약
일반적으로 담석과 관련된 급성 담낭염(AC)은 심각한 합병증을 유발할 수 있는 비교적 빈번한 질환입니다. 이러한 이유로 급성 담낭염은 신속한 임상 진단과 관리가 필요합니다. 조기 복강경 담낭 절제술(ELC)이 담낭염에 대한 최선의 치료법이라는 점에는 대체로 동의하고 있습니다.
ELC를 시행하는 최적의 시기는
진단 후 72시간 이내이며,
증상 발현 후 최대 7~10일까지 연장할 수 있습니다.
병원 입원 후 처음 몇 시간 또는 며칠 동안은
ELC 시술 전 금식, 정맥 내 수액 주입, 항균 치료, 진통제 투여 등으로
환자의 의료적 관리가 이루어집니다.
또한
담석증, 담관염, 담도 췌장염 또는
전신 합병증과 같은 수반되는 질환을 인지하고 적절히 치료해야 합니다.
ELC의 중요성은
AC 발병과 외과적 개입 사이의 간격 기간에
담석 질환의 증상 및 합병증의 빈번한 재발과 관련이 있습니다.
ELC를 받을 자격이 없는 환자의 경우,
임상 증상 발현 후 최소 6주 이상 수술을 연기하는 것이 좋습니다.
수술이 부적합한 중환자는
경피적 또는 내시경적 담낭 배액술(GBD)과 같은 응급 치료가 필요할 수 있습니다.
임산부, 간경변 환자, 노인 환자 등 특수한 인구집단에는
특별한 치료 접근법을 적용해야 합니다.
이 리뷰에서는 문헌의 증거를 바탕으로 특정 임상 상황에서도 실용적인 진단 및 치료 접근법을 제공합니다.
Keywords:
acute cholecystitis; early laparoscopic cholecystectomy; cholangitis; pancreatitis; choledocolithiasis; cholecystostomy; EUS gallbladder drainage; cholecystitis in pregnancy; cholecystitis in the elderly; cholecystitis in cirrhosis
1. Introduction
AC, defined as acute inflammation of the gallbladder wall, is generally related to the presence of gallstones in the cystic duct or in the gallbladder neck. In a minority of cases, AC occurs in the absence of gallstones, such as in cases of predisposing conditions. The importance of AC is related to its frequency and to its clinical impact, requiring adequate management. The mainstay of AC diagnosis and treatment has been delineated in recent expert guidelines [1,2,3,4,5,6]. After clinical, laboratory, and imaging examination, the diagnosis of AC is relatively straightforward. In the course of AC, concomitant gallstone-related complications may occur, such as choledocholithiasis, acute cholangitis, and biliary pancreatitis. In such cases, additional diagnostic workup and adequate therapeutic procedures must be performed.
Based on the available studies, the medical and surgical treatment of AC should follow a defined roadmap. The first therapeutic measures consist of fasting, fluid intravenous infusion, and antimicrobial therapy. Furthermore, analgesics should be administered if needed. In the context of AC, patients should be stratified according to the severity of the clinical features, which only rarely contraindicates ELC. A specific severity grading for AC has been formulated in order to correctly identify patients who are unfit for surgery [1,2]. ELC refers to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, performed within 72 h after hospital admission, or up to 7–10 days from symptom onset [2,6]. ELC is particularly important because it allows for same-admission treatment and cure of both AC and other gallstone-related complications. In fact, ELC minimizes the chance of recurring complications of underlying gallstone disease, such as biliary colic, recurrent cholecystitis, cholangitis, pancreatitis, and their systemic complications.
Because gallstone disease is frequent and increases with age, it is not unusual to treat patients with age-related comorbidities requiring a conservative approach and, possibly, a delayed surgical intervention. In this setting, percutaneous or endoscopic GBD procedures can be performed in order to control the source of infection and to improve the patient’s conditions. Conversely, in case of delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC), a 6-week interval is generally recommended.
Another important issue is cholecystectomy in AC patients with concomitant gallstone complications, such as biliary pancreatitis and common bile duct stones. In special groups, namely, pregnant women, patients with liver cirrhosis, and elderly patients, the best risk–benefit ratio for cholecystectomy indication and timing has been evaluated.
The aim of the present review is to provide a practical diagnostic and therapeutic approach to AC for clinicians based on expert guidelines and also including recent studies referring to specific clinical contexts.
1. 소개
담낭 벽의 급성 염증으로 정의되는 급성 담낭염은
일반적으로 담낭관이나 담낭 목에 담석이 있는 경우와 관련이 있습니다.
소수의 경우, 담석이 없는 경우와 같이 담석의 소인이 있는 경우에도 급성 담낭염이 발생할 수 있습니다. AC의 중요성은 발생 빈도와 임상적 영향과 관련이 있으므로 적절한 관리가 필요합니다.
최근 전문가 가이드라인에 담석증 진단 및 치료의 주요 내용이 설명되어 있습니다[1,2,3,4,5,6]. 임상, 실험실 및 영상 검사 후 AC의 진단은 비교적 간단합니다. 급성 담석증이 진행되는 동안 담석증, 급성 담관염, 담도 췌장염과 같은 담석 관련 합병증이 동반될 수 있습니다. 이러한 경우 추가적인 진단 검사와 적절한 치료 절차를 수행해야 합니다.
이용 가능한 연구에 따르면, 급성 담낭염의 의학적 및 외과적 치료는 정해진 로드맵을 따라야 합니다.
첫 번째 치료 방법은
금식, 수액 정맥 주입, 항균 치료로 구성됩니다.
또한 필요한 경우 진통제를 투여해야 합니다.
AC의 경우 임상적 특징의 중증도에 따라 환자를 계층화해야 하며, 드물게 ELC를 금기하는 경우도 있습니다. 수술에 부적합한 환자를 정확하게 식별하기 위해 AC에 대한 특정 중증도 등급이 공식화되었습니다[1,2].
ELC는 입원 후 72시간 이내 또는 증상 발현 후 최대 7~10일 이내에 복강경 담낭절제술을 시행하는 것을 말합니다[2,6]. ELC는 입원 당일 담석증 및 기타 담석 관련 합병증을 치료하고 완치할 수 있다는 점에서 특히 중요합니다. 실제로 ELC는 담도 산통, 재발성 담낭염, 담관염, 췌장염 및 전신 합병증과 같은 기저 담석 질환의 재발 가능성을 최소화합니다.
담석 질환은 빈번하고 나이가 들면서 증가하기 때문에 연령 관련 동반 질환이 있는 환자는 보존적 접근이 필요하고 수술적 개입이 지연될 수 있는 경우가 드물지 않습니다. 이러한 환경에서는 감염원을 통제하고 환자의 상태를 개선하기 위해 경피적 또는 내시경적 GBD 시술을 시행할 수 있습니다. 반대로 지연 복강경 담낭절제술(DLC)의 경우 일반적으로 6주 간격을 두는 것이 좋습니다.
또 다른 중요한 문제는 담도 췌장염 및 일반적인 담관 결석과 같은 담석 합병증이 수반되는 AC 환자의 담낭 절제술입니다. 임산부, 간경변 환자 및 노인 환자와 같은 특수 그룹에서 담낭 절제술 적응증 및시기에 대한 최상의 위험 편익 비율이 평가되었습니다.
본 리뷰의 목적은 전문가 가이드라인을 기반으로 임상의에게 특정 임상 상황을 언급한 최근 연구를 포함하여 실질적인 진단 및 치료 접근법을 제공하는 것입니다.
2. Epidemiology
AC is generally associated with the presence of gallstones, accounting for approximately 90% of all cases, with the remaining 10% being represented by acalculous AC [7,8].
AC represents a common diagnosis at hospital admission, occurring in approximately 3–10% of all patients presenting with abdominal pain at the emergency room [8]. AC mainly affects the elderly adult population, with an increasing incidence in people over the age of 50, and presents a high morbidity rate. The overall AC-related mortality is about 3% and increases in the elderly, particularly in cases of comorbidities [8,9,10]. Differently, a higher rate of mortality occurs in acalculous AC, where it can be as high as 15–40% [8,10,11].
3. Etiology
Calculous AC is the most frequent complication of gallstone disease, occurring in approximately 10% of patients with symptomatic gallstones over a ten-year follow-up period [12]. The key event underlying calculous AC is the obstruction of the cystic duct by stones or sludge. The resulting increase in gallbladder intraluminal pressure generates an acute inflammatory response of the gallbladder wall [7]. Sometimes, secondary biliary infection from enteric organisms may occur, most frequently Escherichia coli, followed by Klebsiella, Enterococcus, and Enterobacter [4,13]. Well-established risk factors for gallstone disease are obesity, rapid and substantial weight loss [14], female sex, Hispanic and American Indian ancestry [15], medications (e.g., octreotide and ceftriaxone) [16,17], diabetes [18], pregnancy [19], and gastrectomy [20]. In contrast, calculous AC in children is mainly related to congenital disorders (e.g., hemolytic anemia and cystic fibrosis) [21].
In most patients, acalculous AC presents a multifactorial pathogenesis, resulting in stasis and ischemia of the gallbladder wall, with a subsequent local inflammatory response. Well-known risk factors for acalculous AC are sepsis, hypotension, cardiovascular disease, total parenteral nutrition, immunosuppression, major trauma, or burns, typically with a long stay in the intensive care unit [7]. Opportunistic pathogens such as Cryptosporidium, Cytomegalovirus, or Microsporidia can sustain acalculous AC in patients with AIDS or in otherwise immunosuppressed patients [22,23]. Acalculous AC can also occur in cases of cystic duct obstruction that is secondary to biliary cancer, extrinsic inflammation, lymphadenopathy, or metastasis [24]. Importantly, acalculous AC is the most frequent form of AC in the pediatric population [25]. In particular, it generally occurs in cases of infectious diseases (e.g., Epstein–Barr virus and hepatitis A virus infection) or parasitosis, systemic vasculitis (e.g., Kawasaki disease and polyarteritis nodosa), and gallbladder or biliary tract congenital malformations [26,27]. In recent years, with the growing burden of obesity in children and adolescents, cholesterol gallstones have become more frequent in the pediatric population [28].
2. 역학
AC는 일반적으로 담석의 존재와 관련이 있으며,
전체 사례의 약 90%를 차지하며
나머지 10%는 비결석성 AC로 나타납니다 [7,8].
담석증은 응급실에 복통을 호소하는
모든 환자의 약 3~10%에서 발생하는 병원 입원 시 흔한 진단입니다[8].
AC는
주로 고령 성인 인구에 영향을 미치며
50세 이상에서 발병률이 증가하고 이환율이 높습니다.
전체 AC 관련 사망률은
약 3%이며 특히 동반 질환이 있는 경우 노년층에서 증가합니다[8,9,10].
이와는 달리
무결석성 AC에서는 사망률이 더 높아
15~40%에 달할 수 있습니다[8,10,11].
3. 병인학
석회성 담낭염은 담석 질환의 가장 흔한 합병증으로,
10년 추적 관찰 기간 동안 증상이 있는
담석 환자의 약 10%에서 발생합니다[12].
결석성 담낭염의 주요 원인은
결석이나 슬러지에 의한 담낭관의 막힘입니다.
그 결과 담낭 내강 내압이 증가하면
담낭 벽의 급성 염증 반응이 발생합니다 [7].
때때로
장내 유기체에 의한 이차 담도 감염이 발생할 수 있으며,
가장 흔한 것은 대장균이고
그다음은 클렙시엘라, 엔테로 코커스 및 엔테로 박터입니다 [4,13].
담석 질환의 위험 요인으로 잘 알려진 것은
비만, 급격한 체중 감소[14], 여성, 히스패닉 및 아메리칸 인디언 혈통[15], 약물(예: 옥트레오타이드 및 세프트리악손)[16,17], 당뇨병[18], 임신[19], 위 절제술[20] 등이 있습니다. 이와는 대조적으로 소아의 석회성 AC는 주로 선천성 장애(예: 용혈성 빈혈 및 낭포성 섬유증)와 관련이 있습니다[21].
대부분의 환자에서 무결석성 담낭염은
다인성 발병 기전을 보이며
담낭벽의 정체와 허혈을 초래하고 이후
국소 염증 반응을 일으킵니다.
무결석성 담낭염의 잘 알려진 위험 인자는
패혈증, 저혈압, 심혈관 질환, 총 비경구 영양, 면역 억제, 주요 외상 또는 화상이며,
일반적으로 중환자실에 장기간 입원하는 경우가 많습니다[7].
크립토스포리디움, 사이토메갈로바이러스, 마이크로포리디움과 같은
기회성 병원체는 에이즈 환자나 다른 면역 억제 환자에서
담도암, 외인성 염증, 림프절 병증 또는 전이에 의해
이차적으로 발생하는 낭성 담관 폐쇄의 경우에도
무결석성 AC가 발생할 수 있습니다[24].
중요한 것은
소아 인구에서 가장 흔한 형태의 AC는
무결석성 AC라는 점입니다[25].
특히 감염성 질환(예: 엡스타인-바 바이러스 및 A형 간염 바이러스 감염) 또는
기생충, 전신 혈관염(예: 가와사키병 및 결절성 동맥염),
담낭 또는 담도 선천성 기형이 있는 경우 일반적으로 발생합니다 [26,27].
최근에는
어린이와 청소년의 비만이 증가함에 따라
소아 인구에서 콜레스테롤 담석이 더 빈번하게 발생하고 있습니다[28].
4. Diagnosis
The diagnosis of AC is based on clinical presentation, a physical examination, laboratory findings, and an imaging study [1].
4.1. Clinical Presentation and Physical Examination
AC should be suspected in patients presenting with right upper quadrant pain, sometimes accompanied by fever, nausea, and vomiting [7]. On physical examination, the presence of a positive Murphy sign (arrest of inspiration during palpation of the right upper quadrant) is very suggestive of AC, with a specificity of 87% to 97% [29,30]. Clinicians can also observe tenderness, pain, or a palpable mass in the right upper quadrant [1]. Jaundice is not typical for AC and may suggest severe AC with common bile duct stones, with or without concurrent acute cholangitis [1,31].
4.2. Laboratory Tests
In the course of AC, the main laboratory findings are leukocytosis and increased C-reactive protein [1]. A marked increase in bilirubin and hepatobiliary enzymes may indicate concomitant choledocholithiasis, and possibly acute cholangitis [31]. Furthermore, acute hepatitis must be ruled out. For this purpose, using clinical and imaging findings can assist in the correct diagnosis of AC [32]. The overall usefulness of procalcitonin for the diagnosis of sepsis has been debated [33]. On the other hand, procalcitonin levels have been found to be associated with AC severity [1,33,34].
4.3. Imaging Findings
Ultrasound (US) is the most employed imaging technique for the initial diagnosis of AC. Thickening of the gallbladder wall (>3 mm) with a layered appearance, gallstones or retained debris, pericholecystic fluid, and gallbladder enlargement are the typical sonographic signs of AC. Furthermore, a positive sonographic Murphy sign (tenderness elicited by the compression of the transducer over the gallbladder) can be observed [1].
In clinical practice, US can be performed directly at the patient’s bedside, at the doctor’s office, or in the emergency department. In particular, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an important approach for real-time imaging support in the course of clinical evaluation. Furthermore, US can easily be repeated in AC patients, who require monitoring over time [35].
US can also detect AC complications. Gangrenous cholecystitis (Figure 1) is characterized by a thickened and irregular gallbladder wall, sometimes with desquamated mucosa, appearing as an intraluminal flap [36,37]. A defect of the gallbladder wall (“hole sign”) represents the direct visualization of parietal perforation (Figure 2), often communicating with pericholecystic collections or surrounded by hyperechoic mesenteric reactions [37,38]. Additionally, US can be useful in differentiating gallbladder empyema, emphysematous cholecystitis, and a phlegmonous reaction or pericholecystic abscesses [1,39,40].
4. 진단
AC의 진단은 임상 증상, 신체 검사, 실험실 소견 및 영상 검사를 기반으로 합니다[1].
4.1. 임상 증상 및 신체 검사
발열, 메스꺼움, 구토를 동반하는 우상복부 통증이 있는 환자의 경우 AC를 의심해야 합니다[7]. 신체 검사에서 양성 머피 징후(오른쪽 위 사분면 촉진 시 흡기 정지)가 있으면 87%에서 97%의 특이도로 AC를 의심할 수 있습니다[29,30]. 임상의는 또한 오른쪽 위 사분면에서 압통, 통증 또는 만져지는 덩어리를 관찰할 수 있습니다[1]. 황달은 급성 담관염이 동반되거나 동반되지 않는 일반적인 담관 결석을 동반한 중증 급성 담관염을 시사할 수 있습니다[1,31].
4.2. 실험실 검사
급성 담즙 정체증의 주요 실험실 소견은 백혈구 증가와 C 반응성 단백질 증가입니다[1]. 빌리루빈과 간담도 효소의 현저한 증가는 담석증과 급성 담관염이 수반될 수 있음을 나타낼 수 있습니다[31]. 또한 급성 간염도 배제해야 합니다. 이를 위해 임상 및 영상 소견을 사용하면 급성 간염의 정확한 진단에 도움이 될 수 있습니다 [32]. 패혈증 진단에 대한 프로칼시토닌의 전반적인 유용성에 대해 논의가 진행 중입니다 [33]. 반면에 프로칼시토닌 수치는 AC 중증도와 관련이 있는 것으로 밝혀졌습니다 [1,33,34].
4.3. 영상 검사 결과
초음파(US)는 급성 담낭염의 초기 진단에 가장 많이 사용되는 영상 검사 기법입니다. 담낭 벽이 두꺼워지고(> 3mm) 겹겹이 쌓인 모양, 담석 또는 잔류 찌꺼기, 담낭 주위액, 담낭 비대는 담낭염의 전형적인 초음파 소견입니다. 또한, 양성 초음파 머피 징후(트랜스듀서가 담낭을 압박하여 압통이 유발됨)가 관찰될 수 있습니다[1].
임상에서 US는 환자의 침대 옆, 진료실 또는 응급실에서 직접 시행할 수 있습니다. 특히 현장 초음파(POCUS)는 임상 평가 과정에서 실시간 영상 지원을 위한 중요한 접근 방식입니다. 또한, US는 시간이 지남에 따라 모니터링이 필요한 급성 심근경색 환자에게도 쉽게 반복할 수 있습니다[35].
US는 또한 AC 합병증을 감지할 수 있습니다. 괴저성 담낭염(그림 1)은 담낭 벽이 두꺼워지고 불규칙하며, 때로는 점막이 박리되어 담강 내 피판으로 나타나는 것이 특징입니다 [36,37]. 담낭 벽의 결함("구멍 표시")은 정수리 천공의 직접적인 시각화를 나타내며(그림 2), 종종 담낭 주위 수집물과 소통하거나 고초음파 장간막 반응으로 둘러싸여 있습니다[37,38]. 또한 US는 담낭 농흉, 폐기종성 담낭염, 가래 반응 또는 담낭 주위 농양을 감별하는 데 유용할 수 있습니다[1,39,40].
Figure 1. Gangrenous cholecystitis. The gallbladder is markedly distended, with an antero-posterior diameter greater than 5 cm (calipers) (a). The gallbladder walls are thickened (up to 10 mm), with a layered appearance, showing multiple striations and alternating hypo/hyperechoic bands (calipers) (b,c). Inside the gallbladder lumen, a significant amount of biliary sludge (non-shadowing echoic material, determining a horizontal fluid–fluid level) surrounds a microlithiasis aggregate, a brighter echoic material with an acoustic posterior shadow (calipers) (d,e). A small triangular fluid collection is present between the gallbladder and liver surface (f).
Figure 2. Gallbladder perforation. The gallbladder is distended, with irregular thickening of the walls. Multiple pericholecystic collections are shown (calipers) (a,b). Biliary sludge can be seen within the gallbladder lumen (a).
Second-level imaging techniques (CT and MRI) are indicated in case of a doubtful diagnosis or to confirm suspected complications of AC. In particular, CT is the technique of choice for the diagnosis of emphysematous cholecystitis, because it allows for the detection of minute gas bubbles, which appear as hypodense spots [1,41]. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is useful for evaluating concurrent choledocholithiasis or alterations of the biliary tract [42,43].
Hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HIDA scan) is the most sensitive and specific test for AC, which is associated with the absence of radiotracer uptake in the gallbladder before and after morphine administration. However, a HIDA scan is a long-duration procedure and involves exposure to radionuclides [7,44].
Recently, contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) has proven to be useful to detect gallbladder perforation and to characterize pericholecystic abscesses [45,46].
5. Clinical Evolution
AC is an acute inflammatory disease of the gallbladder that sometimes can progress to a number of local complications, such as gangrenous cholecystitis, gallbladder perforation, pericholecystic abscess, biliary peritonitis, biliary fistula, emphysematous cholecystitis, gallbladder empyema, and hemorrhagic cholecystitis [1]. In a minority of cases, systemic complications may occur.
-
Gangrenous cholecystitis. Transmural inflammation and ischemic necrosis of the gallbladder wall, occurring approximately in 20% of cases, is the most common complication of AC [37].
-
Emphysematous cholecystitis. This is characterized by intraluminal or intramural proliferation of gas-forming organisms (e.g., Klebsiella, Clostridium, or Escherichia coli) [37].
-
Gallbladder empyema (suppurative cholecystitis). This complication develops when purulent material accumulates within a distended gallbladder in the course of AC, which is due to a persistent obstruction of the cystic duct and bile stasis, with bacterial proliferation [47,48].
-
Gallbladder perforation. This occurs in about 10% of patients with AC and consists of a loss of continuity of the gallbladder wall, mainly due to ischemia and necrosis, generally located in the fundus of the organ. In most cases, it is a covered perforation, delimited by the surrounding tissue [8].
-
Biliary peritonitis. Rarely, free perforation into the peritoneum can occur. The consequent bile leakage in the peritoneal cavity leads to biliary peritonitis, a condition associated with high mortality [8].
-
Pericholecystic and hepatic abscess. Gallbladder perforation can evolve into a pericholecystic or even hepatic abscess, which is due to the spread of bacterial infection [1].
-
Cholecystoenteric fistula. This is an uncommon complication of gallstone disease, characterized by a fistula between the gallbladder and the gastrointestinal tract, mainly with the duodenum, rarely with the colon, and exceptionally with different gastrointestinal segments [49].
-
Mirizzi syndrome. A stone impacted in the cystic duct or in the gallbladder neck can determine a common hepatic duct obstruction by means of extrinsic compression, with consequent cholestasis. In this setting, a biliary fistula may develop between the gallbladder and the common bile duct (cholecystocholedochal fistula) [49].
-
Gallstone ileus and Bouveret syndrome. Very rarely, gallstones may pass through a cholecystoenteric fistula and, if more than 2.5 cm in size, they can impact the terminal ileum at the level of the ileocecal valve, leading to mechanical bowel obstruction (gallstone ileus). Exceptionally, the gallstone impacts in the duodenum, causing a gastric outlet obstruction (Bouveret syndrome) [49].
-
Hemorrhagic cholecystitis. The presence of blood inside the gallbladder lumen is mainly due to the rupture of a hepatic artery pseudoaneurism. Traditionally, the clinical presentation consists of Quinckle’s triad (biliary colic, jaundice, and overt upper gastrointestinal bleeding) [36].
According to the Tokyo guidelines, AC can be classified into grade I (mild), grade II (moderate), and grade III (severe). Mild AC represents a disease confined to the gallbladder, in the absence of local and/or systemic complications. Differently, moderate AC develops when at least one of the aforementioned local complications occurs, mainly gangrenous cholecystitis, pericholecystic abscess, biliary peritonitis, or emphysematous cholecystitis. An elevated WBC count (>18.000/mm3), a palpable tender mass in the right upper abdominal quadrant, and a duration of symptoms greater than 72 h are also associated with moderate AC. Severe AC occurs when the disease leads to systemic complications, with at least one organ failure (cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, renal, hepatic, or hematological dysfunction) [1].
5. 임상적 진화
급성 담낭염은 담낭의 급성 염증성 질환으로 괴저성 담낭염, 담낭 천공, 담낭 주위 농양, 담도 복막염, 담도 누공, 폐기종성 담낭염, 담낭 농흉 및 출혈성 담낭염과 같은 여러 국소 합병증으로 진행될 수 있습니다 [1]. 소수의 경우 전신 합병증이 발생할 수 있습니다.
1) 괴저성 담낭염.
담낭 벽의 경막 외 염증 및 허혈성 괴사는 약 20 %에서 발생하는 담낭 벽의 허혈성 괴사는 AC의 가장 흔한 합병증입니다 [37].
2) 농흉성 담낭염.
이것은 가스 형성 유기체(예: 클렙시엘라, 클로스트리디움 또는 대장균)의 담강 내 또는 담관 내 증식이 특징입니다[37].
-
담낭 농흉 (화농성 담낭염). 이 합병증은 급성 담낭염이 진행되는 동안 팽창된 담낭 내에 화농성 물질이 축적될 때 발생하며, 이는 담낭관의 지속적인 폐쇄와 담즙 정체로 인한 박테리아 증식 [47,48]으로 인해 발생합니다.
3) 담낭 천공.
이것은 AC 환자의 약 10 %에서 발생하며 주로 장기의 안저에 위치한 허혈과 괴사로 인해 담낭 벽의 연속성이 상실되는 것으로 구성됩니다. 대부분의 경우 주변 조직에 의해 구분되는 덮힌 천공입니다 [8].
4) 담도 복막염.
드물게 복막에 자유 천공이 발생할 수 있습니다. 결과적으로 복강 내 담즙 누출은 높은 사망률과 관련된 상태 인 담도 복막염으로 이어집니다 [8].
5) 담낭 주위 농양 및 간 농양.
담낭 천공은 박테리아 감염의 확산으로 인해 담낭 주위 농양 또는 간 농양으로 발전할 수 있습니다 [1].
-
6) 담낭 누공.
이것은 담석 질환의 드문 합병증으로 담낭과 위장관 사이의 누공, 주로 십이지장, 드물게 결장, 예외적으로 다른 위장 세그먼트 [49] 사이의 누공이 특징입니다.
7) 미리 지 증후군.
담낭관이나 담낭 경부에 돌이 부딪히면 외인성 압박에 의해 일반적인 간관 폐쇄와 그에 따른 담즙 정체가 발생할 수 있습니다. 이 환경에서는 담낭과 총담관 사이에 담도 누공이 발생할 수 있습니다 (담낭 담즙 누공) [49].
-
8) 담석성 장폐색증 및 부베레 증후군.
매우 드물게 담석이 담낭장 누공을 통과할 수 있으며, 크기가 2.5cm 이상인 경우 회맹판 수준에서 말단 회장에 영향을 미쳐 기계적 장폐색(담석 장폐색)을 유발할 수 있습니다. 예외적으로 담석이 십이지장에 영향을 미쳐 위 배출구 폐쇄(부베렛 증후군)를 유발하기도 합니다[49].
-
9) 출혈성 콜레신염.
담낭 루멘 내부의 혈액의 존재는 주로 간 동맥 의사 동맥류의 파열로 인한 것입니다. 전통적으로 임상 증상은 퀸클의 삼중증(담즙 산통, 황달, 명백한 상부 위장관 출혈)으로 구성됩니다[36].
도쿄 가이드라인에 따르면
AC는 1등급(경증), 2등급(중등도), 3등급(중증)으로 분류할 수 있습니다.
경증 AC는 국
소 및/또는 전신 합병증이 없는 담낭에 국한된 질환을 나타냅니다.
이와 달리 중등도 담낭염은
앞서 언급한 국소 합병증 중 하나 이상이 발생할 때 발생하며,
주로 괴저성 담낭염, 담낭 주위 농양, 담도 복막염 또는 폐기종성 담낭염이 발생합니다. WBC 수치 상승(>18.000/mm3), 우상복부에 만져지는 압통성 종괴, 72시간 이상 지속되는 증상도 중등도 급성 담낭염과 관련이 있습니다.
중증 AC는
질병이 하나 이상의 장기 기능 장애(심혈관, 신경, 호흡기, 신장, 간 또는 혈액 기능 장애)와 함께
전신 합병증을 유발할 때 발생합니다[1].
6. Treatment
The treatment of AC is based on the disease severity, the presence of complications, and pre-existing conditions and comorbidities. ELC represents the cornerstone in the treatment of AC, but, in some circumstances, when ELC is contraindicated, delayed surgery is performed. Medical treatment, in particular antibiotic therapy, is also of pivotal importance. Sometimes, GBD placement may be indicated [2].
6.1. Medical Treatment
In the course of AC, clinicians should keep the patient on fasting and initiate antimicrobial therapy. General supportive care, such as fluid and electrolyte intravenous infusion, and possibly analgesic agent administration, are also mandatory [3].
In order to select a suitable empirical treatment, generally based on broad-spectrum antibiotics (e.g., penicillin, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones), clinicians should consider drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, local antibiogram, a history of antimicrobial use, allergic or adverse reactions, and renal and hepatic function. Importantly, the presence of a biliary–enteric anastomosis warrants anaerobic therapy (e.g., metronidazole) [50]. Severe and healthcare-associated infections can be sustained by Pseudomonas species; therefore, in such cases, antimicrobial therapy against this pathogen is recommended [51].
Blood and, possibly, bile cultures are requested for all stages of AC, except for the mild form of the disease, if they are community-acquired. Of note, a culture of bile and gallbladder tissue is suggested during cholecystectomy in case of emphysematous cholecystitis, gallbladder wall necrosis, or perforation [4]. Once cultures and susceptibility test results are available, clinicians should discontinue antimicrobial therapy if no longer needed or switch to an antimicrobial agent that is specific for the isolated organism (antimicrobial de-escalation) [52].
The duration of antibiotic therapy depends on clinical features. In patients with mild or moderate AC who are candidates for ELC, antimicrobial therapy is recommended from the diagnosis until surgical intervention or further, if clinically indicated [53,54]. Particular attention should be paid to patients at a high risk of bacterial infection or antimicrobial resistance, as in the case of immunosuppression therapy or healthcare-associated infections [6]. Diabetes is also considered a risk factor for the failure of conservative management [55]. In patients with severe AC, antibiotic treatment should be further extended for 4–7 days after the source of infection is controlled. In case of local complications such as pericholecystic abscesses or gallbladder perforation, the antimicrobial therapy should be discontinued only when the local, systemic, and laboratory (e.g., procalcitonin serum level) signs of infection have disappeared [4].
6.2. Diagnosis and Treatment of Gallstone-Associated Disease
The presence of common bile duct stones is reported in about 5% to 15% of patients with calculous AC. A prompt recognition of this condition is of relevance in clinical practice, because diagnosis and management of choledocholithiasis by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a priority.
As discussed above, the raising of serum hepatobiliary markers, mainly bilirubin, is associated with choledocholithiasis and, in the appropriate clinical setting, it suggests a concomitant acute cholangitis.
Besides diagnosing AC, abnormalities of the biliary tree can be detected by US, from bile duct enlargement to direct visualization of stones in the lumen of the common bile duct, the latter requiring therapeutic ERCP. Notably, Mirizzi syndrome can be mistaken for choledocholithiasis [6].
Predictive factors for common bile duct stones have been evaluated. A common bile duct diameter > 6 mm (with the gallbladder in situ), total serum bilirubin level > 1.8 mg/dL, abnormal liver biochemical test other than bilirubin, age older than 55 years, and clinical gallstone pancreatitis are reported to be associated with choledocholithiasis in 10% to 50% of cases. The moderate risk related to these conditions justifies a second-level imaging in order to detect patients who need therapeutic ERCP. According to local expertise, a detailed evaluation of the biliary tree can be performed preoperatively by EUS or MRCP, or intraoperatively using laparoscopic US or cholangiography.
In the absence of the above factors, the risk of concomitant bile duct stones is so low (<10%) that ELC can be performed without further investigation [6,56].
Therefore, having access to EUS and MRCP in the short term may conditionate the timing of cholecystectomy.
6.3. Surgery (Cholecystectomy)
The cornerstone of AC treatment is ELC. In particular, ELC performed within 72 h should be the method of choice for the treatment of AC, because it is related to a shorter hospital stay, fewer perioperative complications, and reduced costs [57,58,59]. The quality of the evidence for this statement is considered to be moderate, and the strength of recommendation is strong. Furthermore, a 7- to 10-day timeframe from the clinical onset of AC to ELC is now considered acceptable [6]. Altogether, the expert guidelines recommend very early (≤72 h from symptom onset) or early (<7–10 days from symptom onset) laparoscopic cholecystectomy, even if high-quality definitive evidence is lacking. In cases in which ELC cannot be performed, DLC can be planned. There is a temporal frame, ranging from 1 to 6 weeks after the onset of AC, in which laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not recommended because of a common concern of an increased risk of serious adverse events [6]. Therefore, even if the level of evidence is very low and the strength of recommendation is weak, for patients who cannot undergo ELC within 7 [2] or 10 days [6] from symptom onset, it is suggested to delay surgery beyond 6 weeks (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Recommended timeframe for ELC in AC from onset of symptoms and/or hospital admission.
In patients with mild AC but with a concomitant high surgical risk, ELC can be performed once the medical treatment has improved the patient’s general condition [2].
In contrast, in patients with moderate AC, ELC must be preceded by medical therapy because of the possible surgical challenges related to the inflammatory reaction [2].
In cases of severe AC, ELC should be performed only with the availability of intensive care support and in patients with factors that are predictive of clinical recovery. For example, early remission of cardiovascular or renal failure after admission is considered a favorable organic systemic failure (FOSF). According to the Tokyo guidelines, a bilirubin serum level ≥2 mg/dL, as well as neurologic and/or respiratory dysfunction, are considered negative predictive factors that contraindicate ELC in patients with grade III AC. Furthermore, it is of primary importance to evaluate the performance status in patients who are candidates for early surgery. Indeed, patients affected by severe AC with a Charlston Comorbidity Index (CCI) greater than 4 and/or American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification score (ASA-PS) above 3 are considered at high risk for surgery [2]. In particular, according to CCI, the presence of a metastatic solid tumor or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is considered such a high-risk condition that it contraindicates ELC in patients with severe AC. Moderate-to-severe liver or renal disease, leukemia, lymphoma, cancer without metastasis, diabetes mellitus with chronic complications, and cerebrovascular (hemiplegia) events are considered moderate risk conditions by themselves. However, in such patients, the presence of an additional comorbidity contraindicates ELC. Particular caution must be observed in patients receiving steroid treatment, immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., transplant recipients), or biological drugs [60,61,62,63]. If laparoscopic cholecystectomy cannot be performed during the primary admission for AC, DLC should be planned after complete clinical recovery and at least 6 weeks after clinical onset [2] (Table 1).
Table 1. Management of AC according to Tokyo severity grading.
The recurrence of AC represents a relatively frequent clinical scenario, accounting for almost one-quarter of patients treated conservatively during the first episode of AC [64]. Multiple factors can influence the risk of recurrence in such patients. Notably, recurrent AC appears to be more severe than the first episode [65] and to be associated with an increased risk of different biliary diseases, such as obstructive jaundice or gallstone pancreatitis [66]. According to recent evidence, 20% to 38% of patients with AC undergoing percutaneous transhepatic GBD that is not followed by delayed cholecystectomy experience a recurrence of AC, mainly within three months from the index event [67].
Traditionally, there have been concerns about cholecystectomy in specific subgroups of patients, namely, pregnant women, cirrhotic patients, and elderly patients (Table 2).
Table 2. Cholecystectomy for AC in special clinical settings.
In pregnant women with AC, the conservative approach is associated with relapse rates in the range of 40–70%. Some concerns have been raised regarding surgery in the first trimester because of the potential risk of miscarriage and toxicity for the fetus related to anesthesia. The optimal time for laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the second trimester. Patients in the near term can be managed conservatively in order to postpone surgery until after delivery, considering that in the third trimester, there are some concerns related to the size of the uterus [6,68,69,70,71]. Despite the consensus on performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy preferentially during the second trimester, in selected cases, when justified by a favorable risk–benefit ratio, the surgical intervention can be performed in the first- or third trimester [72].
In patients with liver cirrhosis with a Child–Pugh score of A or B and/or with a Mayo End-stage for Liver Disease (MELD) score of less than 15, laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the course of AC is considered the first therapeutic choice, because the risk of liver decompensation after surgery is still acceptable. On the contrary, cholecystectomy is generally contraindicated in patients with liver cirrhosis with a Child–Pugh score of C or a MELD score higher than 15, in which a conservative approach, such as GBD placement, is suggested [7,73].
In elderly patients, ELC should be considered, even if the patient is 80 years of age or older. In fact, recent evidence shows a comparable perioperative morbidity and mortality to the younger population. Frailty and surgical scores can assist in the therapeutic decision [74,75].
Another special group of patients is represented by those with AC and concomitant mild acute biliary pancreatitis. The only study specifically designed to address this issue [76] demonstrates that ELC is a better strategy with respect to DLC, which is in line with the standard recommendations for AC. In fact, despite a similar surgical complication rate, the group with delayed surgery displayed a significantly higher occurrence of preoperative biliary-related events (biliary pancreatitis, cholangitis, cholecystitis, biliary colic) and a longer hospital stay [76]. Similarly, the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) guidelines recommend laparoscopic cholecystectomy during initial admission for patients with mild acute gallstone pancreatitis, but in this case, the presence of a concomitant AC is not specifically considered [77].
6.4. Gallbladder Drainage
GBD, also known as cholecystostomy, should be performed in all patients with severe AC in whom cholecystectomy is contraindicated. Moreover, GBD should also be considered in patients with moderate AC and a high surgical risk, particularly in case of an inadequate response to the medical treatment [2]. Percutaneous transhepatic GBD, performed under US guidance, is the method of choice. In contrast, percutaneous GBD through the transperitoneal route is not recommended, because it is associated with a higher rate of complications, mainly bile leakage and biliary peritonitis [5,78]. Currently, recent guidelines do not provide any recommendations regarding the time of GBD tube removal. Traditionally, the GBD tube is left in place until cholecystectomy. In case of DLC or if a cholecystectomy is not a therapeutic option, the GBD tube should be removed. Recent evidence shows that an early tube removal (about 7–10 days) can be feasible and safe, especially if GBD has been performed by the transhepatic route. Before tube removal, clinicians should verify the disappearance of local and systemic signs of infection, patency of the cystic and bile duct, and absence of peritoneal bile leakage. This can be achieved either by using fluoroscopy or by using intracavitary CEUS, as recently described [79]. The correct positioning of the drainage can also be checked during the B-mode US examination. Some authors suggest performing a clamping test before GBD tube removal [80,81,82,83]. Despite these promising data, the real efficacy, appropriate use, and exact timing of cholecystostomy have been questioned based on a number of studies performed in different clinical settings [84].
In recent years, endoscopic ultrasound-guided GBD (EUS-GBD) has proven to be a good alternative to percutaneous GBD for high-surgical-risk patients [85]. According to this technique, the gallbladder is punctured under EUS guidance from the body or antrum of the stomach or from the duodenal bulb. Successively, a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS), connecting the gastrointestinal lumen with the gallbladder lumen, is positioned. Some concerns have been raised about technical difficulties in performing cholecystectomy following EUS-GBD, mainly because of the fistulous tract. More data are needed to provide clearer information on the outcome of this technique. In selected high-risk patients, the LAMS can be left in place, but long-term adverse events are described, e.g., LAMS dislocation or occlusion with food, leading to recurrent AC [86,87]. According to recent evidence, EUS-GBD has the advantage of a decreased rate of adverse events and less need for re-intervention, with a comparable success rate to percutaneous GBD [87,88,89,90]. However, these studies did not discriminate between the transhepatic and transperitoneal route in percutaneous GBD.
An alternative endoscopic approach for GBD is based on ERCP with selective cannulation of the cystic duct and a transpapillary stent placement. In particular, this approach should be preferred in patients requiring ERCP for concurrent choledocholithiasis [5,86,91].
In summary, the optimal drainage method (percutaneous/endoscopic) depends on individual patient characteristics and the individual center’s expertise [5,86,92].
7. Conclusions
AC is mainly related to the presence of gallstones, and the burden of these diseases is growing with the increase in life expectancy. The diagnosis of AC is based on the initial clinical suspicion, together with laboratory and imaging findings. In recent years, severity grading scores for AC have been developed in order to select the best therapeutic strategy. The gold standard of surgical treatment is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, preceded by medical therapy. Whenever feasible and in the presence of adequate local expertise, ELC is recommended within 72 h from hospital admission or within a maximum of 7 to 10 days from symptom onset [2,6]. In cases of DLC, a timeframe of at least 6 weeks from symptom onset is suggested. Notably, ELC minimizes the recurrence of symptoms and complications in AC patients, given that cholecystectomy can sometimes be challenging and requires bail-out options [84]. Besides health instances, ELC is also preferable to DLC because of the lower healthcare-related costs. On the basis of recent guidelines, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is also indicated in the elderly, in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, and in pregnant women, preferably in the second trimester. In high-risk AC patients who are not eligible for ELC, rescue or bridge procedures can be indicated. In particular, percutaneous GBD has been widely employed, while EUS-GBD has been developed recently and will possibly be implemented in clinical practice.
7. 결론
담석증은 주로 담석의 존재와 관련이 있으며, 기대 수명이 증가함에 따라 이러한 질병의 부담이 증가하고 있습니다. 담석증 진단은 실험실 및 영상 소견과 함께 초기 임상적 의심에 근거하여 이루어집니다. 최근에는 최적의 치료 전략을 선택하기 위해 AC에 대한 중증도 등급 점수가 개발되었습니다. 수술적 치료의 표준은 복강경 담낭 절제술이며, 그 전에 내과적 치료를 먼저 시행합니다. 가능하면 적절한 현지 전문 지식이 있는 경우 병원 입원 후 72시간 이내 또는 증상 발현 후 최대 7~10일 이내에 ELC를 권장합니다[2,6]. DLC의 경우, 증상 발현 후 최소 6주 이내에 실시하는 것이 좋습니다. 특히, 담낭 절제술이 때때로 어려울 수 있고 보석금 옵션이 필요할 수 있다는 점을 고려할 때 ELC는 AC 환자의 증상 및 합병증 재발을 최소화합니다 [84]. 건강상의 이유 외에도 의료 관련 비용이 낮기 때문에 ELC가 DLC보다 선호됩니다. 최근 가이드라인에 따르면 복강경 담낭절제술은 고령자, 보상성 간경변증 환자, 임산부(가급적 임신 2기)에게도 권장됩니다. ELC를 받을 자격이 없는 고위험군 급성 간경변 환자의 경우 구조 또는 브리지 시술이 필요할 수 있습니다. 특히 경피적 GBD가 널리 사용되고 있으며, 최근에는 EUS-GBD가 개발되어 임상에서 시행될 가능성이 있습니다.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization, L.M. and M.M.; methodology, L.M. and M.M.; software, L.M. and M.M.; validation, L.M., A.V. and M.M.; formal analysis, L.M. and M.M.; investigation, L.M. and M.M.; resources, L.M., A.V., R.M.Z. and M.M.; data curation, L.M. and M.M.; writing—original draft preparation, L.M. and M.M.; writing—review and editing, L.M., A.V., R.M.Z. and M.M.; visualization, L.M. and M.M.; supervision, R.M.Z.; project administration, R.M.Z.; funding acquisition, R.M.Z. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References