What does it mean when you have pus in your gallbladder?

Abscess of the gallbladder A small percentage of people with gallstones may also develop pus in the gallbladder. This condition is called empyema. Pus is a combination of white blood cells, bacteria, and dead tissue. The development of pus, also known as an abscess, leads to severe abdominal pain.

Is an infected gallbladder serious?

Acute cholecystitis is swelling (inflammation) of the gallbladder. It is a potentially serious condition that usually needs to be treated in hospital. The main symptom of acute cholecystitis is a sudden sharp pain in the upper right side of your tummy (abdomen) that spreads towards your right shoulder.

How is gallbladder empyema treated?

Empyema of the gallbladder develops when the gallbladder neck is obstructed in the presence of infection, preventing pus from draining via the cystic duct. Treatment options include cholecystectomy or, in patients with comorbidities, drainage via percutaneous cholecystostomy, later followed by cholecystectomy.

What happens when your gallbladder is infected?

Acute (occur suddenly) – This inflammation often causes severe pain in the mid or right upper abdomen. Pain can also spread between the shoulder blades. In severe cases, the gallbladder may tear or burst and release bile into the abdomen, causing severe pain.

How do you treat a gallbladder infection?

How can cholecystitis be treated?

1. Fasting, to rest the gallbladder.
2. IV fluids to prevent dehydration.
3. Pain medication.
4. Antibiotics to treat infection.
5. Removing the gallbladder.
6. Draining the gallbladder to treat and prevent the spread of infection.
7. Removing gallstones in the area blocking the common bile duct.

How is an infected gallbladder treated?

If your gallbladder is infected, your doctor likely will recommend antibiotics. Pain medications. These can help control pain until the inflammation in your gallbladder is relieved. Procedure to remove stones.

How is gallbladder empyema diagnosed?

A CT scan may reveal an enlarged or distended gallbladder with edematous walls and, at times, pericholecystic collection. When the diagnosis is more difficult, an MRI can be of help. A heavily T2 weighted sequence on MRI can help in distinguishing pus from sludge.

Can gallbladder cause sepsis?

Severe gallbladder infection can cause liver abscess, fever, sepsis, and even death. The adjacent stomach and duodenum can also be affected by the severely inflamed/infected gallbladder.

How long does gallbladder infection last?

In most cases, an attack of cholecystitis lasts 2 to 3 days. Each person’s symptoms may vary. Symptoms may include: Intense, sudden pain in the upper right part of your belly.

Does an infected gallbladder have to be removed?

You don’t need a gallbladder to live, so if it’s causing severe problems, your doctor will likely recommend surgery to remove it. You may need gallbladder surgery if you have pain or other symptoms caused by gallstones.