The Epidemiology of Obesity
Obesity has received considerable attention as a major health hazard because of the increase in the prevalence of obesity not only in the United States but also in several other…
Pathogenesis of Gallstones
Cholesterol gallstone formation is a complex process and involves phase separation of cholesterol crystals from supersaturated bile. In most cases, cholesterol hypersecretion is considered the primary event in gallstone formation….
Functional Gallbladder Disorder: Gallbladder Dyskinesia
Functional gallbladder disorder, commonly referred to as gallbladder dyskinesia, is characterized by the occurrence of abdominal pain resembling gallbladder pain but in the absence of gallstones. The diagnosis and management…
Diagnosis and Management of Gallbladder Polyps
Gallbladder polyps are frequently encountered on cross-sectional imaging, often in asymptomatic patients. Most are benign and of little clinical importance. However, some polyps do have a malignant potential. This article…
Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis
Acute acalculous cholecystitis (ACC) can develop with or without gallstones after surgery and in critically ill or injured patients. Diabetes mellitus, malignant disease, abdominal vasculitis, congestive heart failure, cholesterol embolization,…
Epidemiology of Gallbladder Cancer
Gallbladder cancer is the most common biliary tract cancer. The highest incidence rates occur in Chile, which also has the highest mortality rates. This lethal gastrointestinal cancer has a predilection…
Management of Gallbladder Cancer
Resection is a means of improving survival in patients with gallbladder cancer. A more aggressive surgical approach, including resection of the gallbladder, liver, and regional lymph nodes, is advisable for…
Endoscopic Ultrasonography in Diseases of the Gallbladder
In recent years, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has emerged as an important tool for the diagnosis and management of pancreaticobiliary disease. The close proximity of the echoendoscope to the biliary system…
Gallbladder Imaging
The treatment of gallbladder disease has been revolutionized by improvements in laparoscopic surgery as well as endoscopic and radiologic interventional techniques. Therapeutic success is dependent on accurate radiologic assessment of…
Targets for Current Pharmacologic Therapy in Cholesterol Gallstone Disease
Gallstone disease is a frequent condition throughout the world and, cholesterol stones are the most frequent form in Western countries. The standard treatment of symptomatic gallstone subjects is laparoscopic cholecystectomy….
