Biliary Colic

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Biliary Colic


  • intermittent obstruction of biliary duct by stone

History

  • Upper abdominal pain
    • severe
    • like band
    • builds several minutes to plataeu
    • then fades spontaneously after several hours / opiate analgesia
    • 3-4 hours after eating (fatty) food
  • Nausea / vomiting
    • often heralds end of the attack
  • Patient left feeling washed out / sore

Examination

  • may be normal
  • Jaundice
  • Murphy's Sign

Investigations

Treatment

  • Pethidine
  • Admit for pain control / rehydration
  • Exclude other causes of acute abdomen
  • Cholecystectomy
    • usually laparoscopic
 

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