n. an uncommon form of chronic inflammation of the gall bladder in which small crystals of cholesterol are deposited on the internal wall, like the pips of a strawberry: hence its descriptive term strawberry gall bladder. The crystals may enlarge to become *gallstones.
n. inflammation of the gall bladder. Acute cholecystitis is a frequent complication of *gallstones obstructing the cystic duct (see bile duct) but in a minority of cases can occur in the absence of gallstones (acute acalculous cholecystitis). Initial treatment includes analgesia, intravenous fluid therapy, and broad-spectrum antibiotics. *Cholecystectomy is the definitive treatment. Chronic cholecystitis is an outdated term used for recurrent episodes of biliary colic; it should be avoided. See also cholesterosis; Murphy’s sign.... cholecystitis
Health Encyclopedia