Which of the following conditions is commonly linked to the presence of gallstones?
Solution
Correct Answer: Option B
- The presence of gallstones is most commonly linked to cholecystitis.
- Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, and when they obstruct the cystic duct, they can cause inflammation and infection of the gallbladder, a condition known as acute cholecystitis.
- This leads to symptoms such as right upper quadrant abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis.
While gallstones can also cause acute pancreatitis (Option 1) by obstructing the common bile duct and pancreatic duct, this is less common as the primary initial association compared to cholecystitis.
Appendicitis (Option 3) and diverticulitis (Option 4) are unrelated to gallstone formation or complications and involve different pathophysiological processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
Key Points:
- Gallstones cause obstruction in the cystic duct leading to cholecystitis.
- Cholecystitis presents with inflammation of the gallbladder, often triggered by gallstones.
- Acute pancreatitis may sometimes be caused by gallstones but is not the primary association.
- Appendicitis and diverticulitis are not linked to gallstones.
Reference: Robbins Basic Pathology, 10th Edition, Chapter 10: Diseases of the Gallbladder and Extrahepatic Bile Ducts