Gallstones are hardened deposits that form when substances such as cholesterol or unconjugated bilirubin become overly concentrated in bile. They vary greatly in size and often cause no symptoms, but stones that leave the gallbladder can obstruct the biliary tract and cause inflammation or infection.

After listening to this AudioBrick, you should be able to:

• Compare cholelithiasis, choledocholithiasis, cholecystitis, and cholangitis.
• Describe how cholesterol and pigment gallstones form.
• Identify the major risk factors, clinical course, and complications of gallstones.
• Distinguish acute from chronic cholecystitis.
• Describe the treatment of gallstones and acute cholecystitis.

Explore the original Cholelithiasis and Cholecystitis brick from our Gastrointestinal collection.

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