Gallstone disease differential diagnosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hadeel Maksoud M.D.[2]

Overview

Gallstone disease must be differentiated from other diseases that cause epigastric and left and right hypochondriac pain such as:

• Esophageal chest pain
• Gastroesophageal reflux disorder
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Non-ulcer dyspepsia
• Hepatitis
• Functional gallbladder disorder
• Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Ischemic heart disease
• Pyelonephritis
• Ureteral calculi
• Complications of gallstone disease include: acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, acute pancreatitis, and acute cholangitis

Differentiating Gallstone disease from other Diseases

• As Gallstone disease manifests in a variety of clinical forms, differentiation must be established in accordance with the particular subtype. The presence of biliary colic is an important diagnostic feature to distinguish between gallstones and non-biliary disorders. It has been shown that this feature is predictive of finding stones on imaging.

However, it is important to note that biliary colic concomitant in patients with other biliary disorders such as acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, and functional gallbladder disorder. 

Laboratory studies can be helpful, along side clinical presentation in making a preliminary diagnosis, so of the common tests include:

• Liver biochemical tests (serum aminotransferases, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase), which may be abnormal in patients with hepatitis, biliary tract obstruction, or (less commonly) acute cholecystitis
• Serum amylase and lipase, which are elevated in acute pancreatitis
• Complete blood count, which may show an elevated white blood cell count in patients with acute cholecystitis or acute cholangitis
• Urine analysis, which may show indicate a urinary tract infection or ureteral calculi

Other tests that may be indicated depending upon the patient's symptoms and history including:

• Upper endoscopy to look for peptic ulcer disease
• Endoscopic ultrasonography to look for chronic pancreatitis
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincter of Oddi manometry to look for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
• Cholescintigraphy with or without cholecystokinin (CCK)-stimulation to look for acute cholecystitis and functional gallbladder disorder, respectively
• Testing for ischemic heart disease
• Esophageal manometry to look for esophageal sources of chest pain, such as esophageal spasm

Classification of acute abdomen based on etiology Presentation Clinical findings Diagnosis Comments Fever Rigors and Chills Abdominal Pain Jaundice Hypotension Guarding Rebound Tenderness Bowel sounds Lab Findings Imaging Common causes of Peritonitis Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis + Diffuse − − − − Hypoactive Ascitic fluid PMN>250 cells/mm³ Culture: Positive for single organism Ultrasound for evaluation of liver cirrhosis - Perforated gastric and duodenal ulcer + Diffuse − + + + N Ascitic fluid LDH > serum LDH Glucose < 50mg/dl Total protein > 1g/dl Air under diaphragm in upright CXR Upper GI endoscopy for diagnosis Acute suppurative cholangitis + + RUQ + + + + ± Acute cholangitis + − RUQ + − − − N Abnormal LFT Ultrasound shows biliary dilatation Biliary drainage (ERCP) + IV antibiotics Acute cholecystitis + RUQ + − − Hypoactive Hyperbilirubinemia Leukocytosis Ultrasound shows gallstone and evidence of inflammation Murphy’s sign Acute pancreatitis + Epigastric ± − − N Increased amylase / lipase Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation Pain radiation to back Acute appendicitis + RLQ − + + Hypoactive Leukocytosis Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation Nausea & vomiting, decreased appetite Acute diverticulitis + LLQ ± + − Hypoactive Leukocytosis CT scan and ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation Hollow Viscous Obstruction Small intestine obstruction − Diffuse − + ± Hyperactive then absent Leukocytosis Abdominal X ray Nausea & vomiting associated with constipation, abdominal distention Gall stone disease/Cholelithiasis ± − Volvulus - Diffuse - + - Hypoactive Leukocytosis CT scan and abdominal X ray Nausea & vomiting associated with constipation, abdominal distention Biliary colic - RUQ + - - N Increased bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase Ultrasound Nausea & vomiting Renal colic - Flank pain - - - N Hematuria CT scan and ultrasound Colicky abdominal pain associated with nausea & vomiting Vascular Disorders Ischemic causes Mesenteric ischemia ± Periumbilical - - - Hyperactive Leukocytosis and lactic acidosis CT scan Nausea & vomiting, normal physical examination Acute ischemic colitis ± Diffuse - + + Hyperactive then absent Leukocytosis CT scan Nausea & vomiting Hemorrhagic causes Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm - Diffuse - - - N Normal CT scan Unstable hemodynamics Intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage - Diffuse - - - N Anemia CT scan History of trauma Gynaecological Causes Fallopian tube Acute salpingitis + LLQ/ RLQ − ± ± N Leukocytosis Pelvic ultrasound Vaginal discharge Ovarian cyst complications and endometrial disease Torsion of the cyst - RLQ / LLQ - ± ± N Increased ESR and CRP Ultrasound Sudden onset sever pain with nausea and vomiting Endometriosis - RLQ/LLQ - +/- +/- N Normal Laproscopy Menstrual-associated symptoms, pelvic symptoms Cyst rupture - RLQ / LLQ - +/- +/- N Increased ESR and CRP Ultrasound Sudden onset sever pain with nausea and vomiting Pregnancy Ruptured ectopic pregnancy - RLQ / LLQ - - - N Positive pregnancy test Ultrasound History of missed period and vaginal bleeding Functional Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Diffuse - - - - N Clinical diagnosis ROME III/IV criteria Pharmacologic studies based criteria - High dietary fiber Osmotic laxatives Antispasmodicdrugs References