Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim: A prospective study to assess the use of CT scans in the evaluation of acute cholecystitis. Materials and Methods: Data of patients who were diagnosed to have acute cholecystitis on Computed Tomography CT were included in the study. Confirmed diagnosis of cholecystitis was obtained from histopathology those without confirmed diagnosis was excluded from the study. Computed Tomography CT images of cases were obtained using MDCT scanners (16 Slice Simens Healthcare systems). Results: In total, 100 patients were included in this study between the age of 18 to 75 years. Most common presenting complains abdominal pain (85%) followed by nausea and vomiting (31%). Leukocytosis was present in 68% of the patients. Regarding CT signs Pericholecystic inflammatory changes were most commonly present (86%). This was followed by gall bladder distention (75%), wall thickening (74%), enhancement of gall bladder mucosa (58%), and visualization of gall stones (38%), tensile gall bladder fundus (39%), reactive hyperemia (38%) and Penicholecystic fluid collections (31%). The most common complication was perforation and abscess formation. Conclusion: CT is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis of acute cholecystitis and its associated complications in emergency department setting due to its wide availability. CT (Computed Tomography) had proved its role as an important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of abdominal pain. An evaluation of CT signs in the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis will help to improve the diagnostic confidence in acute cholecystitis and will also help in the differential diagnosis.