Journal of Liver

Detection of Hepatic Consequences during Gallbladder Blockage

Bezerra Stringer^* Department of Hepatobiliary, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
^*Correspondence: Bezerra Stringer, Department of Hepatobiliary, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America, Email:

Received: 03-Jul-2023, Manuscript No. JLR-23-22779; Editor assigned: 06-Jul-2023, Pre QC No. JLR-23-22779 (PQ); Reviewed: 19-Jul-2023, QC No. JLR-23-22779; Revised: 26-Jul-2023, Manuscript No. JLR-23-22779 (R); Published: 02-Aug-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2167-0889.23.12.185.

Description

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that is located under the liver and on the right side of the abdomen. Its primary function is to store and concentrate bile, a yellow-green fluid that aids in the digestion of lipids in diet. Bile is produced by the liver and flows through small vessels into the larger hepatic ducts and ultimately through the cystic duct into the gallbladder, where it is stored. The exact cause of gallstones is not fully understood, but some factors that may contribute to their formation include:

• When the liver secretes more cholesterol than the bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol may crystallize and form stones.

• Bilirubin is a pigment that results from the breakdown of red blood cells. Some conditions, such as liver cirrhosis, infections, or blood disorders, can cause the liver to produce too much bilirubin, which may also form stones.

Many people with gallstones do not have any symptoms and may not even be aware that they have them. However, if a gallstone blocks a bile duct, it can cause a sudden and severe pain in the upper right abdomen, called biliary colic. The pain may last from a few minutes to several hours and may radiate to the back, shoulder, or chest. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and dark urine. The gallbladder plays an important role in liver function by storing and concentrating bile, which helps digest fats and eliminate waste products from the body. Without a gallbladder, bile would flow continuously from the liver to the intestines, which could result in diarrhea, malabsorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), and increased risk of gallstones. Bile helps the digestive system to break down fats by emulsifying them, which means breaking them down into smaller droplets that can be easily absorbed by the intestinal cells. Bile also carries waste products from the liver to the intestines, such as cholesterol, bilirubin, and bile salts. Bilirubin is a pigment that results from the breakdown of red blood cells.

Bile salts are molecules that help solubilize cholesterol and fats in bile. Bile also helps neutralize the acidic chyme (partially digested food) that comes from the stomach.

Gallstones can also lead to serious complications if they cause inflammation or infection of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), the bile ducts (cholangitis), or the pancreas (pancreatitis). These conditions can cause persistent pain, fever, jaundice, and other signs of infection or organ damage. If left untreated, they can result in life-threatening complications such as sepsis (blood infection), abscess (pus-filled cavity), or perforation (hole) of the affected organ. Gallstones are usually diagnosed by imaging tests such as ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create pictures of the gallbladder and bile ducts; Computed Tomography (CT) scan, which uses X-rays to produce cross-sectional images of the abdomen; or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), which uses magnetic fields and radio waves to visualize the bile ducts and pancreas. Blood tests may also be done to check for signs of infection or liver function abnormalities. If a gallstone is blocking a bile duct, it may need to be removed before or during cholecystectomy by using a procedure called Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Conclusion

Gallstones are common and can affect liver function by blocking the flow of bile, which can cause pain, inflammation, infection, and organ damage. Gallstones can be diagnosed by imaging tests and blood tests, and treated by medications or surgery depending on their characteristics and symptoms. People with gallstones should consult their doctor for the best treatment option and follow a healthy lifestyle to prevent or reduce the recurrence of gallstones. This involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera and tools through the mouth into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) and injecting dye into the bile ducts to locate and remove the stone.